Carnival Booth

a cryptic puzzle by Emily Cox and Henry Rathvon

Puzzle
Solution grid
“Hits” in the grid include every letter of the alphabet except Q-P. When paired with “doll” and said aloud, you get a “kewpie doll” (a classic carnival prize).

Across

  • 1.
    APLOMB
  • 6.
    FJORDS
  • 11.
    CHIMERA
  • 12.
    ORION
  • 13.
    RITE
  • 14.
    COLA
  • 15.
    FINALE
  • 16.
    STRUCK
  • 17.
    ZYDECO
  • 23.
    FRIEND
  • 25.
    GHOSTS
  • 29.
    HARLEM
  • 31.
    IRMA
  • 32.
    PERU
  • 33.
    SIENA
  • 34.
    DAPPLED
  • 35.
    HANDLE
  • 36.
    TAMARI

Down

  • 1.
    ACRES
  • 2.
    PHILTER
  • 3.
    LITER
  • 4.
    MEXICO
  • 5.
    BRINK
  • 6.
    FAVA
  • 7.
    JOWLY
  • 8.
    RIOTED
  • 9.
    DOLL
  • 10.
    SNAP-ON
  • 15.
    FUSE
  • 18.
    DOOM
  • 19.
    CATERER
  • 20.
    OFFISH
  • 21.
    AIRMEN
  • 22.
    SHERPA
  • 24.
    NASAL
  • 25.
    GLOAT
  • 26.
    STELA
  • 27.
    SAUDI
  • 28.
    ARIA
  • 30.
    RUDE