The sword swallower is a performer who, through years of practice, has learned to safely place swords into their esophageal tract. While many performers use a single, straight sword, others use curved blades or even two swords at the same time.
The fire eater is able to hold a flammable liquid in their mouth and then spit the liquid over a flame, creating an enormous ball of fire. A talented eater should also able to ingest the flame, place it on their hand and perform other assorted tricks.
Geeks are performers who, through innate talent or learned aptitude, are able to undergo experiences that would cause enormous pain in others. Often, geeks will insert pins or hammer nails into themselves.
Human deformities, either intrinsic or acquired through accident or disease, are a staple of sideshows. Classic examples are the bearded lady, the lobster boy, the three-legged man, the midget, the dog-faced man and the human reptile.
Knife throwing is a two person act: one person stands against a wall or other flat service, while the other person throws knives at them, attempting to get the knives as close to the other person as possible without hitting and injuring them.
People who have grown their hair to an exceptional length are referred to in the sideshow trade as "longhairs." Longhairs can take the form of women who have grown out their tresses, or men who have allowed their beards to reach a considerable length.
A classic performer, the strongman is a man--or, in some cases, a woman--who is able to perform feats requiring impressive muscular strength. This can include the lifting of barbells or other heavy objects.
Snake enchanters, or charmers, are performers who enjoy an exceptionally close relationship with a snake or reptile, one which allows them to coax the animal into performing tricks, often in concert with the performer's body. Music accompaniment to these acts is common.
People with tattoos of exceptional size or variety are also an attraction common to sideshows. With the increasing prevalence of tattoos in the general public, the bar has been raised for these performers, who must now have a collection of enormously unusual characters to have a role in the sideshow.
Contortionists are physically flexible performers able to bend their bodies into usual shapes. The performers are usually young and female, although male contortionists are not uncommon.