The Great Dalugama Carnival:

Where Every Ride Is a Wild Ride

Denzil Jayasinghe

3 min read

This story reminisces about a vibrant church carnival in his Sri Lankan village fifty years ago. He describes the carnival’s transformation of the church grounds, the attractions like thrilling rides and sideshows, and the lively atmosphere with music, laughter, and occasional mishaps. Jayasinghe fondly recalls the live music performances by local artists, highlighting their enthusiasm and often comical stage presence, which entertained the audience despite any lack of polish. The article captures the nostalgic essence of a bygone era, celebrating the simple joys and community spirit of a traditional village carnival.

Fifty years ago in our village, the church carnival rolled into town, celebrating the feast of St. Francis de Sales, who probably never imagined his name would be associated with cotton candy and carnival rides.

In the weeks leading up to the festivities, the church grounds, once the local school, transformed into a dazzling spectacle. It was as if a rainbow had exploded, with banners flapping like they were auditioning for a Broadway show, streamers swirling around like they were in a dance-off, and lights twinkling like stars that had decided to take a vacation on Earth. People flocked from all corners, creating a lively river of humanity, all drawn by the promise of joy – or maybe just the smell of fried dough.

Within a week, the carnival gates generated thousands of Rupees, proving that people will spend money on anything if you throw in a few games and questionable rides. The event was packed with delights – games of chance, sideshows, and enough laughter to make anyone forget their troubles. For just twenty-five cents, you could witness the jaw-dropping feats of motorcyclists defying gravity in the infamous “dome of death.” (Spoiler alert: no one died, but there were a few close calls.)

Children and adults spun around on the merry-go-round, riding galloping horses while a trumpet band played lively tunes. For ten cents, you could marvel at birds performing tricks or try your luck in lotteries, shooting galleries, or even the more dubious gambling dens where the odds were as good as winning a staring contest with a goldfish. The carnival was a treasure trove of attractions, each promising a unique experience – and a potential trip to the dentist.

The air was thick with excitement, binding everyone together under the carnival’s bright lights and the joyous sounds of laughter, screams, and the occasional “Hey, get off my foot!”

At the entrance, a record bar was the control centre, equipped with a microphone for announcements and a gramophone that played popular songs from local and Western artists, including Abba. For twenty-five cents, guests could request their favourite songs, which usually led to many confused looks when someone asked for “Dancing Queen” at a church carnival.

One particularly trendy corner of the carnival allowed attendees to purchase tickets for just a few cents, offering the chance to win an assortment of prizes like foot rulers, books, pens, toy cars, wooden elephants, and laced bags. At 9 PM, ticket numbers were drawn, revealing several lucky winners – who were probably just as surprised as everyone else that they had won something other than a headache.

The live music shows were the highlight of the carnival, featuring local artists who often took the stage with too much “liquid courage.” These famous male singers would belt out tunes, oblivious that the crowd was slowly losing interest. Some would cling to the microphone like it was a life raft, requiring a chorus of boos to finally convince them that it was time to exit stage left.

One singer, in particular, had the audience in stitches as he swayed back and forth, microphone in hand, slurring his way through a song that no one could recognise. When he attempted an encore, the crowd erupted in a symphony of disapproval, booing him off the stage like a contestant on a reality show gone wrong.

Despite the occasional antics and questionable musical talent, the show was a hit. The audience eagerly awaited the next performer, knowing that with a few drinks in them, these local legends were bound to entertain — whether they meant to or not!