In the early 1900s people made a living exhibiting themselves for public spectacle, but the history books show that was short lived at the former Marine Lake and Ocean Beach Fun Fairs in Rhyl, making way for the more mysterious illusion-based sideshow like the 'headless woman' or 'woman in the goldfish bowl'.

Flicking through an old history book, 'Rhyl At The Fun Fair' by Eric Hughes, a former manager of the fairs, Rhyl councillor Colin Jones, who published the out-of-print book, says freak shows were around briefly on the Prom.

Quoting Eric from the book, Colin reads: "Some displays were of deformed persons who made a living by exhibiting themselves, quite a common sight on fairgrounds then but not acceptable as a public spectacle."

In the 1930s the Marine Lake opted for the sideshow. There was one called 'knock the lady out of bed'. Colin said that in this game a ball was thrown and had to hit the bullseye of a target, this tilted the bed forwards and the woman fell out of bed revealing her night attire, considered risque at the time.

Apparently, there was some difficulty getting women to appear in night dresses in public - as it wasn't the done thing in the 30s.

However, there was another figure of enduring interest at Marine Lake Fun Fair and that was a resident 'Red Indian', a fortune-teller who wandered the park offering to give readings

According to Eric Hughes, the gentleman in question was a self-styled 'Great Navajo' whose real name was Parney Warner. He wore a big feathered head-dress and full Red Indian regalia; he rowed around the lake on a canoe and told fortunes. Parney was from Coventry and half-German. He retired in 1939 and sold his fortune-telling rights to a 'Spaniard' by the name of Jack Crisp.

Colin said: "'Strange' people go all the way back to the Queen's Palace [theatre] in West Parade [1902-07]. I've read that the attractions there included a 'Wild Man of Borneo'!"

Showmen like fire-eater and magician Jon Gresham toured with their sideshows, bringing them to Rhyl in the mid 1950s-69, among them The Vampires' Cave and The Butterfly Girl which were seen beneath the figure of eight rollercoaster at the former Rhyl fairground.

Jon Marshall restored some of his namesake's show pieces which were found in a barn and which formed an exhibition, Circus of Wonders, which went on display at Blackpool in February 2009.

Jon said several more of Jon Gresham's shows were in Rhyl for the summer seasons

"There were shows like Miranda - entombed in two tons of water, The Butterfly Girl, Vampires Cave, The Living Half Lady, Headless Lady, and Girl in a Goldfish Bowl," he said.

Use the link [right] to find out more about the exhibition.