Standing 7 feet 3 inches, George McArthur, 37, literally stands out in most crowds.
His daredevil tricks make him stand out even more.
Known as "George the Giant," McArthur is part of a duo, with master illusionist John Shaw, performing stunts in the Pima County Freak Show.
Part of McArthur's act includes eating shards of glass, holding up to 1,200 pounds of concrete bricks on his chest while lying on a bed of nails, and swallowing a sword with a 33-inch blade.
We sat down with McArthur to ask him about the Freak Show.
When did you get your start and how did you end up with a job that has you lying on a bed of nails?
"I fell in love with the sideshow when I was 12 years old. I saw a fire-eater at a county fair, then I did some research. . . . It started with something that I saw that was so unreal, I knew it had to be true, and then I found a way to do it. I've been doing it professionally since 1991."
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What can we expect to see during the show's performance?
"You'll see escapes, firecrackers, glass-walking and human pin cushions. . . . We're doing things with bugs and we're going to strap 100 firecrackers to my chest and light them all."
These acts are extreme. Is there a stunt that you would not do?
"There are a few things. I don't do suspension art with hooks because it's not something the audience cares for. But if I shove the hooks in my eyes — then it's cool. That being said, I try to do stunts that I would perform in front of my nephews and nieces. It's a family act."
You're one of the few sword swallowers in the world. How do you train for this stunt and why do you do it?
"It can take several years to learn. . . . You have to keep in mind, every time you do it, there's a chance of puncturing your lungs and bleeding to death. . . . Sword swallowing is one of those arts a lot of people aren't doing anymore. . . . It's not something you see every day, and most people haven't seen it live."
If you go
The Pima County Fair runs through next Sunday at the Pima County Fairgrounds.
• Where: 11300 S. Houghton Road.
• Admission: $7; $2 ages 6-10; free 5 and under.
• Parking: $5.
• Main gate opens: 10 a.m. weekends and Tuesdays.
• Carnival opens: 11 a.m. on weekends.
• Web site: pimacountyfair.com.
Today
• High School Rodeo in Manny's Arena.
• Livestock shows in the barns and ramada.
Performance times
• The Freak Show featuring "George the Giant" and John Shaw.
Daily shows at 6, 8 and 10 p.m. at the Pima County Fair's Club Corona. The 10 p.m. performance is graphic and PG-rated. Parental guidance is recommended.
