Along the Route is our ongoing series documenting the shops, bars, restaurants, venues, parks, and places we think you should know along the route of upcoming races. The first installment of ATR is for the 2022 RBC Brooklyn Half.

Coney Island Circus Sideshow

The Coney Island Circus Sideshow is "America's first professional non-profit theater dedicated to keeping alive the American sideshow." What is a sideshow, 100% of you are asking? It's the "secondary" production of a circus. Think giants, sword-swallowing, bedazzled power drills to the nostril, human curiosities, strong men... a real smorgasbord of Brooklyn peculiarities.

“There’s no magic in the sideshow performance.” Fire breathing, glass eating, aerial ring acrobatics - your brain will try to see the strings, but the artistry is in the dedication the performers take to their craft. Not unlike the training of a dedicated runner, these entertainers are constantly priming their bodies to adapt to the physical demands of their act. 

The show is produced to amplify the general oddity-like vibes that Coney Island naturally exudes, so if you're looking to really experience all that it has to offer, let the bizarro-world environment of the Circus wrap you up like a warm, weird blanket. 

For the low price of $12 ($8 for kids under 12) and a few sleepless nights, you can pop into any one of their daily shows going on from 1-6pm (7pm on Saturdays).

Coney Island USA is a non-profit and produces both the Sideshow and the Mermaid Parade, among other cultural staples. To keep Coney Island alive for future generations, consider donating here.