Before entering the circus tent, you noticed a souvenir stand across from it, that was next to the ringmaster's cart, and figured you could buy something for yourself, before you could watch the show. Of course seeing souvenir shops in the middle of the outside of a circus tent wasn't as entertaining when you could get some snacks, or souvenirs during the show.
You've seen people at the circus, and maybe a baseball game get souvenir's, and food from salesman who carry things while on the bleachers, so a souvenir booth wasn't an issue. However, instead of ordinary souvenir's like hoodies, t-shirts, and knick-knacks, this booth sold clown gloves, acrobat leotards, and a top hat for some kind of lion tamer, or ringmaster. You don't know why a souvenir stand would sell so many props used in the circus, but you were tempted to try one on before paying.