Souvenirs of The Sideshow-- Giant's Rings

By D.B. Doghouse

"Painted wings and Giant's Rings make way for other toys....." — Puff The Magic Dragon (1962)

1941-- Elbow-to-elbow, the heat inside the old canvas-covered 10-and-1 holds the coppery smell of sweat and new sawdust—and for those who are “with it”— the smell of MONEY. In front of the small painted bally stage a chaotic mass of kids, a few old farmers, some Bryl-Creamed swells, and powdered church ladies push forward as AL TOMAINI-- towering no less than 7 Feet 4 Inches tall-- starts his big pitch: