The Sweet Memories of the Carnival in Town

We finally found parking on the grass behind the cornfield. Freshly cut grass with a hint of scarecrow. I felt fresh and feisty as the wind carried the scent of the husks over my face and through my hair.

We grabbed our sweatshirts as that wind was feeling chilly with the sun saying goodbye to our skin; no need for sunglasses either. As we walked towards the scene that appeared stellar, the Carnival Barker was enticing the evening audience to come by and hear the conjoined sisters sing with their luscious voices in synch with the songs of such a night of adventure. At the entrance there were a few drunk high schoolers helping their BFF by holding back her long hair as she ejected possibly too many beers and a corn dog. Not the best invitation so I concentrated on the Barker’s invite as we walked past the snapshot of growing pains.

I whispered to my friend, “What is it about carnivals?!” Luckily, I was chewing fresh minty gum.

The funnel cakes smelled so sweet in contrast to those corndogs and greasy sausages.

You just gotta have it all.

We bought the tickets and went on the line to the Ferris Wheel. It was my favorite because it was slow, and cyclical. I felt I could stop the world and feel it through my fingers and hair.

Squeaky chairs, you can imagine they are so tired of the ride themselves. Back and forth, rocking like a baby’s bassinet, we entered the ride. In my head I was singing Rock a bye baby, on the treetop, when the wind blows the cradle will rock.

But my peaceful thoughts were distracted by the blasting radio playing AC/DC, its reception poor. The Carnie took our tickets, tore them up why, with such an attitude, I thought to myself. Well, they get a bad rap, I guess, blasting music and their cigarette smoke crawling its way up the Ferris Wheel.

Up, up it went, the smoke and my excitement building, my tummy getting squeamish.

I knew this wasn’t a scary ride, but it is fun to hear the giggling children, sensing their fear as it rode up backwards, and feel that wind cross your face then STOP!

The cradle is rocking back and forth with fervor.

The jolt of the brakes as Carnie exits a few patrons and enters a few more. Here you are, on top of the world. I can smell the buttered popcorn from our new friends below. Thankfully, it masked the scent and smoke of his cigarettes.

After the Ferris Wheel, we walked through the midway. I knew which were rigged games and which weren’t because they were all rigged. Kids crying, I can hear the dad say, “it’s okay buddy we can shoot the moon somewhere else!”

“Tickets here for the twins, they will sing a ballad you’ll never forget! Five bucks!”

The Barker was in fact, enticing me to sneak under the tarp. What were my feelings? Was I inquisitive? Scared to imagine something that may be real?

I heard the song of sirens coming from the tent.

My friend said, “no, that’s exploitation!”

I said, “so is this whole carnival!”

“And what about a flea circus,” I said. “They would give me creepy itches!”

“Well, wouldn’t it be nerve racking to see conjoined twins? Better to just imagine it,” she said.

The mystery still holds a place in what I think is my heart, or my loins. I never got to meet the twins, only hearing their siren songs calling me to enter the tarp.

Time for another game, another ride and to take in the sights and sounds of the people. I wanted to grab a beer and sit with my funnel cake. Screaming kids, yelling parents and kissing middle schoolers. Such a weird environment. Crass, no class but fun as hell.

The Carnies always seemed to have one eye on the catholic schoolgirls, and the bikers were there for the cheap beer and curly fries. Loud obnoxious music, intoxicating sweet treats and eye candy.

All good in the suburban life.

We walked towards the zeppole’s.

Hot, sweet, sticky.

Remined me of some of my summer nights at the beach.

I bought a bag full to quench my memory.

Caught in a thought, I was licking my fingers, each one slowly and meticulously. I guess I embarrassed my friend.

She said, “let’s’ go on the carousel.”

We jumped on, after a few hand wipes, and I chose a beautiful white horse. She had a trumpet on her side, and her saddle was sky blue. I didn’t notice until I picked her, yet it seemed as if my horse chose me. Her bright white mane was such a contrast to her sky blue accoutrements. Her tail was off white compared to her white hair. I also noticed her harp on the other side of her. She was a musical beauty!

I noticed the mirrors reflecting on the horses and patrons. So bright, so shiny, I never realized.

Then came the music. It was spooky, yet simple and its tempo was awkward. But afterward, I realized why, because then the ride began. The Calliope started, like a steam train, but not like a church service but more raunchy. All of a sudden I felt I was rising up and down, down and up. The repetition somehow brought me back to my childhood. I loved the carousel. I haven’t been on one since never! I started crying. In a quiet way. My feelings burst. The smell of sausage, the wind against my face and the pipes playing raunchy church music on my favorite pony. I was in heaven. (Aside form that zeppole!)

The Carnival brings all types of people together for an evening of all of the senses.

The entertainment may be unknown to the entertainer, the music may bring a full on memory of your first kiss in middle school. You may even remember throwing up. All of the senses are there for you to play with. The wind, the cool air, the rush of the rides.

Such an American Icon.

And then they are gone.

Carnies all packed up, for the next town.

The memory of the night is tucked away in your brain as a kid, especially if you win a plush animal- the bigger the better!

What a sight to see as one of your friends’ dad holds your awkward giraffe and pry it into the car.

Great stuff, the Lolli pop in a toddler’s mouth as his dribble is pouring all over the car seat, and forcing the kids to get in the car because there is school in the morning, and that last ride on the bumper car because you flirted with the Carnie.

These are sweet memories.

Remember the girl who threw up when we got there?

Oh, to be young again.

She was frolicking with her friends and flirting with the other high school boys in a flash.

Thank God for gum and friends.