Remember When...?

Remember when driving the highway on Route 66 and seeing this sign? It was usually for Ringling Brothers & Barnum & Bailey Circus along with rides and the whole works!

And just like the sign said it was for all ages.......

Standing in the long lines just hoping to get a glimpse of all the scary animals and hoping to ride the tilt-A-whirl after the main event.

I remember riding these huge monstrous beasts and loving every minute of it....nowadays that is wishful thinking......hehe



Carnival or circus, there was always a ringmaster to start the extravaganza. I loved his ruby red jacket and tall standing black top hat. Don't forget the mustache that you could hang your tea cup off of!



The tents were always so elusive and I would just burst at the seems to know what was inside of them.......maybe lions, tigers and bears.....maybe a petting zoo of all sorts of exotic and wild farm animals....or best yet, the three legged man or the hairy woman who could lift 500 lbs from a far away place!

Now I know everyone has this thing for clowns but they really aren't the spooky beings that we all portray them to be........They were the epitome of the circus and carnival scene, they just happen to get a bad rap because of those B movies made in the late 70's!

NOW I don't know about you but the funnel cakes, piggly wiggly fries and pink cotton candy flowing like champagne was to die for. It made no difference if we had eaten dinner or not, we were eating the most greasiest, sweetest, and the highest caloric garbage we could get our hands on and loved every minute it!

There was always one item I had to have before leaving the grounds, it was a Carmel apple with nuts.......I still remember the smell of it and how it glistened underneath the fairground lights. That first bite was heaven and when it was all said and done I knew my night would be complete!

What was the one thing that no matter where you were or what you were doing brought back all the wonderful adolescent memories of the zipper, go carts, and the carnival glass penny toss? Popcorn! Till this very day when I smell popcorn my first thought is........aahhh, the carnival or circus is coming to town! Even if I am standing in my own kitchen....haha!

I can still envision all the beautiful women in costume, I secretly wanted to be just like them. Till I grew up and found out they were like the nomads and lived in tents.....I quickly changed my tune! But still they were so glamorous!

Five bucks for a fortune teller......huh? Well if Five bucks got you a million dollars and a home in the Poconos it was well worth it! You just couldn't leave the circus without having your fortune read, it just wouldn't be right, I think it goes against the cardinal rules of the circus or something!

I bet you are wondering....where did she get this set up or better yet why does she have this set up? Well for a very good reason and I have all of my five children to vouch........This elaborate set-up has taken me some time to collect and I bring it out five times a year for each one of my children's birthdays! Unfortunately we live in a day and age that the carnivals and circus are disappearing and since I cannot always take my children to the extravaganzas on their birthdays , I bring it to them!

Thank you for taking the time to read through my recollections and silly anecdotes but most of all thank you taking part in Lisa Kettell of Faerie Enchantment, Carnival Soiree!

Also I would like to wish my daughter Kendall , who is turning the illustrious age of 10, a very happy birthday and many more to grow on!

I love you Kendall!

And as a special treat , I will be doing a Giveaway for a wonderful Vintage Style Tinsel Tiara. It will be totally done up carnival style and will be the embodiment of this auspicious occasion, The Carnival Soiree and my daughter's birthday! Please be sure to leave a comment and If Kendall draws your name, I will contact you on where to send it! We will draw a name this Sunday at noon.

Good Luck!

Thank you again and have a wonderful weekend and enjoy the rest of the Carnival Soiree!