Natural-Born Thrillers Are Still Wavin’ Their Freak Flag

I wonder if in a past life I was a carney? I find these shots in the gallery fascinating. Shows like this are alive and well today, wish one would come to the Northland. I'd be the first to buy a ticket. Enjoy the gallery!

Mutants and freaks used to roam the US, fascinating sideshow-goers with strange acts and stranger looks. Today, a few troupes—with a mix of natural-born thrillers like Lobster Girl and self-modified monstrosities like Erik “the Lizardman” Sprague—keep the dream alive. Here are three of our still-freakin’ favorites.

999 Eyes Freakshow

Home Base: Austin, Texas

An old-style traveling show, 999 includes genuine genetic rarities like Jackie the Human Tripod (two arms, just one regulation-length leg) and Lobster Girl (clamp hands). Cofounder and emcee Samantha X says it’s a chance to “interact with people you’ve been told your entire life not to stare at.”

Sideshows by the Seashore

Home Base: Coney Island, N.Y.

Sword-swallowers, fire-eaters, and contortionists make up the core of this troupe. But Coney Island is most famous as a mecca for traveling acts like the Lizardman (surgically forked tongue, filed teeth, face-horn implants, tattoos) and daredevil couple Tyler Fyre and Thrill Kill Jill.

via Natural-Born Thrillers Are Still Wavin' Their Freak Flag.