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999 Eyes Freakshow
Photo: Laurent Martin

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.

Venice Beach Freakshow
Home Base: Venice, California
This show is home to a five-legged dog and 22 living two-headed creatures, including a king snake named Laverne and Shirley. Humanwise, expect to see hairiest-fella-on-earth Larry the Wolf Boy and Electra, who sits in an electric chair and lights a gas-soaked torch with bolts from her tongue.