sideshow

 

On my visit to the Rio Grande Valley, I anticipated blue skies and palms.  The reality is dreary clouds, drizzle and temperature in the 60s.  The weather is reflected in the attendance of the carnival that was happening beside the freeway.  The hawker is reading his newspaper and I'm the only one interested in the two-headed cow, five-legged dog, elephant woman, mermaid and other freaks of nature.  Supposedly in years past, the John Strong Strangest Show on Earth was a feature on Coney Island but packed tents and left.  It's a "fur piece" from Coney Island to the vacant lot in McAllen, Texas.  However it appears John Strong's banners made the trip.  One reviewer called them "gorgeous in a retro sort of way." Strong’s banners were painted by Jorge Rivero and Coney Island’s Takeshi Yamada, who also operated a freak  show.  Visit Sideshowworld for more information to this disappearing art form.

 

McAllen, Texas