(Download this episode as an mp3. Direct link at the end of the show notes)

Ladies and Gentlemen! Boys and Girls of All Ages*! Step right up and be prepared to be thrilled and amazed as we take you on a magical journey through all that is great and, at the same time, not so great at your local carnival. From the gooey deliciousness that is the Deep-Fried Twinkie to the towering, clanking deathtrap that is known simply as The Zipper, we take you from the parking lot, through the ticket booths, past the livestock and midway games and straight into the heart of all that is American.

*NOT to include anyone under the age of 14 unless you want to expose them to naughty language

Music for this episode:

• Intro Song: Carnival Days by Phil Ayoub. Click HERE to buy the song.

• Break Song: (click on the song title "Josephine" to download the mp3)
  Eric Lindell
  "Josephine" (mp3)
  from "Low on Cash, Rich in Love"
  (Alligator Records)
  
  Buy at Amazon
  More On This Album
  
  

• Outro Song: (click on the song title "Lay Back Down" to download the mp3)
  Eric Lindell
  "Lay Back Down" (mp3)
  from "Low on Cash, Rich in Love"
  (Alligator Records)
  
  Buy at Amazon
  More On This Album
  
  

Music for this episode provided by the podsafe music network at music.mevio.com and IODAPromoNet.

We begin the discussion of our topic by talking about rides. Let's face it. For 99% of us (the other 1% being Kevin Peace), the rides are our whole reason for going to the Fair.

We rate the Best and Worst rides, and re-live the horror of puking after an all too dizzying trip on some of the more wretched machines.

Next, we move on to the more appetizing subject of Fair Food. There's not much to hate, and quite a lot to love . . . we both get very hungry just talking about it. If our discussion has you longing for some sweet treats also, head on over Here and Here for some quick recipes to make your own carnival food at home.

Lastly we examine the ego-sapping, dollar-draining moneypits of humiliation known as the Midway Games. Rather than let our beloved listeners continue to twist in the wind at the hands of these evil, money-grubbing Carnies, we equip them with the knowledge necessary to take these bad guys down and take home that supersweet Bart Simpson poster.

Media picks for this episode:

Kevin picks: Twilight Eyes by Dean Koontz

Zen picks: Carny: Americana on the Midway by Virginia Lee Hunter. Also the documentary based on the book:

If that is not enough, Zen also recommends checking out the book, "Memoirs of a Sword-Swallower" by Daniel Mannix.

Spotlight Store Item: Make your car stick out in the fairground parking lot with this Bumper Sticker

(to download the episode as an mp3, right click on the Direct Download Link and select "Save Link As . . .")