Night and Day

By Kim Hughes

DIABLO DEFIES DEATH

Given that Carnival Diablo Ringmaster Scott McClelland (right) can trace his families ties to the side show back 103 years, it's fair to say he's got circus in his presumably warm blood. Described by OMNI magazine as "the sideshow of the Future", The locally based Victorian Outfitted troop draws audiences into its creepy web with a complete sensory assault. Yet it is more than just a sideshow. Sure, there's glass-and-live-insect-eating, impaling and electrocution, heavy objects by unlikely body parts and a séance. But what sets Carnival Diablo apart is the flamboyant McClelland's sincere belief in the paranormal and his persuasive ability to make you believe, too.