I discovered this little carnival scene on Congress Avenue as I headed back to the car. Unfortunately, it was already closed to the public for the day. Unlike past SXSW visits, where I would stay late into the night, I left earlier. I’m not sure if that’s because I’m getting older or because the 2024 version seems comparably boring.

I felt a twinge of regret not experiencing this venue. Not only am I a satisfied Audible subscriber, getting my monthly fix of audiobooks, but the setup looks more enticing than the others. A mini Ferris wheel always looks like a fun attraction. I went downtown on Sunday again, partially to peruse SXSW and attend a photo walk. But I missed my chance at carnival fun for a second time since they were holding a private gathering.

As I wrapped up the SXSW coverage, I felt a little down. Was it because of the lackluster SXSW or because I just hit a milestone birthday? I’ll visit next year, curious to see if the diminished events are a trend.

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