Trigger warning: if you’re plagued by coulrophobia, stop reading now. There’s a giant jack-in-the-box right here in Connecticut. If you’re not afraid of clowns, you absolutely have to see it.
The 33-foot silo with a 600-pound clown head on top might be the largest jack-in-the-box in the world. The head moves up and down at a slow pace that takes on an especially creepy air around twilight.
Flickr/KTDrasky
The fiberglass clown head is repurposed from an enormous figure of Clarabelle the clown, sidekick to 1950s pop culture icon Howdy Doody.
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Like a true New Englander, the jack-in-the-box isn’t afraid of a little snow. He doesn’t even bother with a hat.
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Adjacent to the jack-in-the-box, there’s a whimsical haunted house that’s sure to give you the chills.
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Explore the whole property for more eccentric memorabilia and art installations.
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Of course, you’ll come across quite a few clowns. At least this one doesn’t have a 600-pound head.
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Sadly, Wild Bill himself passed away recently. Though customers and friends miss the amiable hippie, he lives on in the wild, wonderful world he created at Wild Bill’s.
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Stop into the shop for a collection of show-print posters, vinyl records, toys, collectibles, books, antiques, gag props, incense, vintage clothing, cartoon and carnival characters and “whacky wobblers” — 12 of which bear Wild Bill’s likeness.
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Have you been to Wild Bill’s? Every Connecticut resident has to check it out at least once.
Flickr/KTDrasky
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Wild Bill’s Nostalgia Center is located at 1003 Newfield St, Middletown, CT 06457
If you’re looking for more quirky places in Connecticut, check out our state’s most eccentric town.
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