2023 Article Gallery

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Many of the traveling carnivals in the early 30’s would quietly or openly offer illegal gambling.  The advance man came to town to secure permits, a location to set up  and do advertising, and would also approach the local Constable to arrange security for the carnival and to offer a ‘donation’ of a cash filled envelope for his favorite charity  to overlook some particular attractions.

A standard attraction in most circuses and side shows is an aerial show.  But this standard high wire act has a dark (my) back story. You will notice that while the performer is starting to begin her act, there is also a worker woman seeming to clean something up on the stage below.  

Not the most interesting subject to build, but an essential one!  The traveling shows supplied these facilities for the crew and public.  During the earlier years, the carnivals always setup in open fields just outside of the towns.  These pre-fab restrooms were just large outhouses placed over quickly dug septic holes.  

The DOGGIE DINER was never a part of the carnival world but was a part of mine growing up in the San Francisco Bay Area (Castro Valley).  It was the 'go to' place for a hot dog for our dad, my brother and I in nearby Hayward located on E. 14th Street.  

TARPAULIN MAINTENANCE CARS

Traveling venues of any kind have always needed portable structures for their operations that were easy to transport, setup and tear down.  The obvious choice has always been the tent, a simple wood pole supported canvas structure.

The WHEEL OF DEATH was a very short-lived motorcycle exhibition structure early in the rapidly evolving world of stunt performing venues.  When the newly invented internal combustion engine was added to the bicycle the carnival world took note. 

This is about the once world-famous Texas BBQ sandwich known simply as THE RATTLER. The roll and condiments were standard issue, but the main ingredient was unique......rattlesnake, the WHOLE SNAKE. 

Referred to as a time of 'innocence', it was actually a time of ignorance.  Western themed movies, TV shows and children's toys were all the rage.  Stereotyping abounded: white hats-good cowboys, black hats-bad cowboys.  

While digging a well, a small group of farmers unearthed a terracotta statue. The rest is history. Subsequent excavation unearthed the burial site of Win Shi Huang, the first Emperor of China (209 BCE). 

MULBERRY-BUSH, FRANCE: Cabaret performers Jon and Jone'e We-sil welcomed their new born child Jacque into the world......True

DAVID JOHNSON, AKA BUSHMAN

David was a busker, a street performer working for tips at San Francisco's Fisherman's Wharf during the 90's and early 2000's. 

Also known as the HIGH STRIKER, this attraction has always been a standard at carnivals, which was designed specifically to profit from the male ego.  

The early 1950's ushered in the era of UFO hysteria. Flying saucer sightings, human abductions and little green men running hither tither. CARNIVALE would exploit these little guys......of course they would......and taking them to the dark side. The usual Alien act would be an autopsy scene.

CARNIVALE arrived in the New Mexico town of Espanola for their annual Lowrider Festival.  With no information, or caring, they knew nothing about the theme of the event, it would be just another small town of marks. But they soon noticed that something unique was going on here.  

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Actually, not all of the WALLENSKI'S were amazing......but it made good billing.  This generational family of carnival performers and workers had immigrated from Poland, eventually joining the CARNIVALE troupe.  This month's article is about a WALLENSKI family uncle.  A lifelong magician, was billed as ' WALLENSKI-THE CRAZY WIZARD.'  Future articles will follow the PROFESSOR, and other family members.

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