“BOWL ’EM UP.”

Star (Christchurch), Volume LXVI, Issue 20456, 8 November 1934, Page 1

“BOWL ’EM UP.”

Don’t Forget to See the Side-shows. FUN OF THE FAIR. The farmers are not the only ones who are right on the job at the showground to-day. While they paraded their stock in the show ring this morning, or stood and criticised happily on the edge of the ground, that eternal optimist, the side-show man, spent a hot and busy morning preparing for to-morrow’s harvest, when People’s Day will bring a thick, continuous stream of eager visitors along the tent-lined row. Side-show Alley at the Christchurch show is always a most interesting place. It is attractive to the simplesoul who takes an uncritical interest in such wonders as fat ladies and thre* - headed sheep. There are thrills for the adventurous, or. rather, for those who get their thrills by watching others risk life and limb. Motorcyclists whizz round the “ Globe of Death,” acrobats fly spectacular! y through the air from one trapeze to another, rougliriders cannon into posts on fiery steeds (which looked surpriinglv calm and contented with their | heads in their nose-bags this morning, early), and what not. Waxworks, Too. « There are horrors for those who like them. Bayly, of Ruawaro fame, will look daggers at spectators from . a waxen visage. A troop of performing seals will thrill the children and get genuine applause from the grown-ups, so human are they in their intelligence and so almost human in their sense of humour. One lady whose husband wore a moustache was observed taking him away from these seals, lest invidious comparisons should suggest themse. vc;. And then there are the houp-la men, the roll, bowl or pitchers, the ring em-and-take-’em-and-jollv-good-luck-to-yous, those loud-voiced, persuasive gentry with the magnetic eyes who offer such fabulous prizes to him of the straight eye and the steady hand. Chocolates practically for nothing, gents. They are a cheerful group, these sideshow* folk. They bring to the show a ; touch of the bizarre, season it w*ith wit and serve it with a laugh. To them belongs the atmosphere of the place. They represent the fun of the fair, the day out for the children. The superior person w*ho scoffs at side-show’s may go into the alley sardonically inclined. It will give him satisfaction and hurt no one else. And he will probably end up roll-bowl-or-pitching just as enthusiastically as his offspring. The side-shows this year follow* tradition and maintain the standard well, j and the thousands of folk who consider j nc show complete without a visit to canvas-town will be just as pleased as