The "Just Clownin' Around" Story

"Tootsie"

It was an ordinary day.  Headed down the steps, following the bright red arrow, taking me to the Clownfest at the the Lancaster Host Resort & Conference Center on the Lincoln Highway.  I had read about this event, that featured clowns from around the world, a couple of months ago and marked it as a "don't miss" in my date book.  

At times I have been accused of being such a person.  So, I wanted to see exactly what a Clownfest consisted of and see if I could pick up any pointers as to how to be a better clown than what I am accused of being.  I walked past dark empty room after dark empty room and finally saw the light at the end of the hall. Stuck my head in the door and was greeted by three people who were painting their faces and sticking on their eyelashes and noses.  Happened to have my camera with me and decided this would be my first stop of the morning.  The gentleman at the one end of the "make-up" table was telling the sparse crowd that he had been a circus clown for over 30 years and it takes an hour or more to put on the makeup and get dressed so that you can be seen for maybe 15 minutes as you accompany some of the circus acts around the floor of the circus tent.  

But, you better do the best job you can in getting prepared for that trip around the tent or you won't be working long.  His nose sat before him in a container of liquid as he applied face paint with either a brush or Q-Tip as he talked about the proper procedure for applying face make-up.  The woman sitting next to him in her dressing robe was telling the crowd about using the proper make-up so it doesn't run or lighten in color as you sweat.  The joys and tribulations of being a clown are many, I guess.  I stepped into the aisle to snap a few photos and about 15 seconds later someone taps me on the shoulder.  "I'm taping this program and you're standing directly in front of my camera," he said, rather annoyed.  I found a different spot, snapped my photos and off I went to find more clowns.  Then I saw the desk where you register for the event and the different shows that they sponsor.  Behind the table was a large room where they were  selling "Goofy Gear", as the sign said.  While the young woman was busy with the new registrants,

I walked around the table into the room to see exactly what goofy gear might be.  Yep, just as you might have guessed, it was just about any goofy item that would help to make you a clown.  One guy was selling funny-looking shoes that weren't cheap.  Prices seemed to start at about $300 and go to around $600, for a pair of shoes so you can look funny!  I could have told them my closet at home is filled with them!  The owner of the stand, John Spear, had about 100 pairs of his custom-made shoes that were used in "How the Grinch Stole Christmas."  Even the mascot of the Baltimore Orioles wears shoes that are made by him.  

Wow, pretty neat business!  Another fellow I talked with, Leon McBryde, is the owner of ProKNOWS which sells noses to clowns.  Leon used to be a clown with the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus so I guess he should know his noses.  The sign in front of this nose products said, "Pick Your Nose Here!" Most of the noses were red or a variation of red, but I did see one big blue nose amongst the red ones.  

Other stands were selling colorful clown hats, clown costumes, face make-up and even books on how to apply that make-up.  I was amazed at the cost of the items.  You need to be fairly wealthy to be a clown.  I stopped an older lady, now I should tell you that she was probably my age, and asked if I could take her photo.  Smiled at me and went into her posing routine.  "Tootsie" was a member of the White Rose Clowns" from York, PA.  She told me that there were close to 100 clowns registered for the event and they were heading to the Lancaster Barnstormers baseball game that night.  

She loved talking about being a clown and all the fun you get from seeing people laugh and smile at you.  "Neat thing to do after you retire," she told me.  I turned around and another younger clown with bright red hair struck a pose for me.  This is going to be easy to take photos here, I thought.  

Another clown sporting a flower that shot water at me was my next photo.  

On and on it went until I reached the door of the "Goofy Gear" room.  As I entered the hall I saw a gentleman with a Clownfest shirt that carried many autographs.  Got the story behind the shirt and asked if I could take his photo.  "No, no," he said.  "I'm not dressed the part right now."  I assume he also was a clown and hadn't time yet to prepare for my photo shoot.  Great bunch of people, these clowns are.  I left the place with a smile on my face, but then again, that's how I usually leave.  Just clownin' around!  It was another extraordinary day in the life of an ordinary guy.