WONDERLAND FAIR

Evening Star, Issue 20653, 28 November 1930, Page 6

WONDERLAND FAIR

BRILLIANT CARNIVAL AT ST. HILDA Wonderland Fairl Happy words those, suggestive of lustra and savour. In the <.aso of the fair that opened last night in the Battery Grounds close to the St. Kilda tram terminus, the use of the name is fully, justified, for it is one of those delightful affairs where money is spent on amusement, and everybody is busy trying to see everything in the all too short time allotted to one night’s visit. Before dusk last night -the fair presented quite a gay colour with the whites, and reds, and greens of the stalls and amusement devices, but when darkness fell and the multi-coloured lights strung overhead were switched on, it was transformed into quite a fairyland, and as the crowd gathered the bustle and laughter increased to mingle with the organ music on the merry-go-round or the shouts of joy of those sampling a thrill or two on the tilt-a-whirl or the Ferris wheel. Pleasure seekers at the carnival must surely bo tempted to have a spin on the tilt-a-whirl to learn what it is like to be at the mercy of a careering caterpillar round about, which whirls its carriages round giddily. Next a trip on the Ferris wheel would seem to give some idea of what aviators have to put up with when their machines are continually rising and dropping at the will of the wind. Then those who feel they have not been inverted sufficiently can always turn their attentions to the chair-o-plane, which throws its passengers well out above the grounds, and hustles them round at broak-neck speed. For those who do not wish to experience that dizzy feeling there is also a smooth-running merry-go-round. Dotted round the ground are ail manner of side shows, stalls, and those places were it is only necessary to throw a certain number or hoops in any given place or drop so many wooden bails into little cubicles to win a box of chocolates worth ten times as much as one has to pay to try one’s skill. All manner of articles such as are usually sold at a fair fill the shelves in the stalls, and any one article purchased could be kept as a reminder of a very pleasant night at St. Kilda. In addition to all this there is Zimmy, the legless wonder, who does all manner of things under water, and the full Bft 9§in of the tallest man in the world may be viewed for a very small sum. The Crystal Maze, where the adventurer finds himself at every turn and in every corner, but cannot find the exit, provides a good deal of amusement, and was generously patronised last night by a most bewildered and delighted crowd. One of the sheds in the grounds has been fitted as a.cabaret, and the dance floor found considerable favour with the young folk last night. All the latest dance tunes were cither , supplied by an efficient little band specially formed for the occasion -or by an' electric gramophone. Most people will find that one vi«it to the fair will not satisfy their appetite for harmless fun, so they will probably find themselves inside the gates again. Provided the weather is favourable, there seems little doubt that the attendances will be maintained, and a goodly sum netted to be put into the Artillery Band funds. The carnival will -be open again to-night and to-morrow afternoon and evening.