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    World of Wonders sideshow thrills fair-goers 

    California Mid-State Fair Sideshow World of Wonders

    An entertainer climbs a ladder made of swords at the World of Wonders sideshow.  Photo by Heather Young.

     

    Set up in carnival area, the World of Wonders show is not for the faint of heart

    California Mid-State Fair. World of Wonders fire eater

    A fire eater blows fire wings while simultaneously eating fire.

    The California Mid-State Fair truly has something for everyone. This year, for the first time, the World of Wonders sideshow is set up in the carnival area near the House of Mirrors and air swings.

    Featuring acts such as a “headless” woman, a knife thrower, the Spider Lady, the Human Blockhead, a fire eater and more, the show is 30 minutes long. After paying $3 a person, curious minds can enter and stay inside until the show circles around to where they started. The performers break from 4 to 5 p.m. in the carnival area, which operates from noon to midnight.

    The show features scary feats such as humans swallowing swords and a car axel 20 inches long and one-inch in diameter; driving a five-and-a-half-inch nail that is a quarter-inch in diameter into the Human Blockhead’s head; a woman sitting on an electric chairing lighting up light bulbs; a woman climbing a ladder of swords, and a woman eating and playing with fire.Some acts are quite impressive, albeit a bit sickening, while others simply are not.

    World of Wonders will be open at the fair through Sunday, July 27. To learn more about the sideshow, go to World of Wonders’ Facebook page.

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    Traci Schuyler McMahan

    In all honesty, this was a not a very good side how. I was really jazzed to see it, but ended up being so disappointed. They pull the trick of "if you want to see more, pay us another dollar". stunt. My kids were felt like someone was stealing their lunch money from them.

    Beth Brennan

    🙁 Carnies aren't known for their fair business practices. Scott had a long conversation with the kids about how all the games were just to take your money, that the cost of the game was far higher than just buying the toy and how they are rigged to loose. It's too bad!

    Brittany Sophia Weinstein

    We went and saw that too.. utterly disappointed as well..

    Follow this discussion
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    3 Comments
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    Traci Schuyler McMahan

    In all honesty, this was a not a very good side how. I was really jazzed to see it, but ended up being so disappointed. They pull the trick of "if you want to see more, pay us another dollar". stunt. My kids were felt like someone was stealing their lunch money from them.

    Beth Brennan

    🙁 Carnies aren't known for their fair business practices. Scott had a long conversation with the kids about how all the games were just to take your money, that the cost of the game was far higher than just buying the toy and how they are rigged to loose. It's too bad!

    Brittany Sophia Weinstein

    We went and saw that too.. utterly disappointed as well..

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