Sideshow alley

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A sideshow alley is an Australian term for amusements, displays, games of skill and chance and fairground rides such as rollercoasters and Ferris Wheels associated with another public event. It is similar to the American term Midway. Carnivals, agricultural shows, large school fetes may all boast sideshow alleys.

Sideshows in Australia have changed considerably in the last 40 years. From a Carnival with freakshows and other questionable entertainments, with the games of skill and thrill rides largely family owned and operated, to today's sad cluster^{[opinion needs balancing]} of hotdog on a stick caravans, showbag vendors, worn out thrill rides and concession booths offering the chance to win cheap plush toys, mostly owned by a handful of conglomerates and staffed by road staff and casual local employees. Even at their finest, Sideshow Alleys were rather tawdry, but the owner operators were friendlier in their efforts to separate the public from their money.

The removal of freak shows, strip shows and other non-family entertainments in the 1970s significantly impacted on the nature of the Sideshow Alley experience. This was accompanied by the influx of new thrill rides, novelties imported from the US and Europe at vast expense. The cost of these new rides was out of the reach of most owner operators, and the competition for the public dollar meant each year brought new rides. However by the late '80s, the situation had changed; thrill rides in sideshows had begun to price themselves out of the teen market.

Issues with insurance, safety inspections, and social pressure to keep youth from congregating have all taken their toll on the Sideshow Alley experience.

[edit] Triangle's Sideshow Alley

The Lansdowne Hotel in Sydney hosted a residency on the third Saturday of every month called "Triangle's Sideshow Alley", which wound up after 38 shows in April 2008. Each show normally featured Sydney band Triangle, with three or four other unsigned bands and one or two guest DJs. Artwork for the posters promoting the shows were created by Sydney artist Ross Radiation. The first "Triangle Sideshow Alley" was March 2005, the last April 2008. It was one of the longest running residencies in Sydney. Prior to June 2007, "Triangle's Sideshow Alley" was presented on the third Sunday of each month.