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Barbara Kimes was still there Sometimes change is
good, in this case, "the sameness" was thrilling. I saw
Handy Andy and Blossom and some of my old friends
I had not seen since around 2000. Barb mentioned to
me that she wanted to bring this amazing celebration
back and would I come next year? I told her I would
be honored.
In no time, the Emmett Kelly festival 2023 was
coming up fast and I was the featured clown. I was so
excited when I drove into town with my giant, stuffed
boyfriend, Ralph, my adorable granddaughter,
Sparklette (Eva Halle Powers) and our fluffy, puppet
dog, Max. My best friend Darren showed to help us
roadie and take photos and we were ready! The
parade was filled with beautiful clowns, almost
thirty to be exact. Some of the very same clowns
from the Shriner’s circus and group in Springfield,
MO were there, Handy Andy and Blossom came and
so many others. I attended the Kindergarten Circus…
clowns trying to spread smiles. Ten minutes probably the only, one of a kind event in the entire
later, I was asked to speak in private with Emmett world. The local elementary school teachers teach
Kelly Jr, Emmett’s eldest son. A few minutes after, I their kindergartners how to "circus" in the most
was introduced to some of the other family members adorable way. They have "live animals" (dressed
of Emmett Kelly. The rest is history. I was hatched, up kinders), ringmasters, clowns and everything
born, popped into the wonderful world of clowning. great about a circus. The gym was filled with family
I learned so much about the old time circus, the Kelly members, VIPs and others to watch this one hour
family, the rich and lovely history of a clown and program which ends with the zany clowns running
actor named Emmett Kelly. I am proud to say that I through the audience blowing bubbles and squirting
have met his amazing daughters, Stasia and Monika water guns. It was marvelous.
and just adore them. They are truly beautiful hearts I was able to stay with my friend and artist Barb
with their father’s great spirit.
Kimes (White) at her beautiful mansion, Windstone
Last year, I was called by an organizer, Brenda House. It was so nostalgic and lovely to be staying at
Senter, who wanted to re-create what was lost in the the same place I did so many years ago. She even gifted
early 2000’s. She asked if I could drive to Houston me with some beautiful artwork she had created over
to appear for the Emmett Fest. I happened to be in the years and I will be displaying some of those next
Sedalia, MO and decided it was worth getting up in year at our WCA convention in Orlando/2024.
the wee hours of the morning to drive across the state
to see at least a portion of my old stomping grounds. I spent some lovely hours listening to amazing
I have to tell you, the second I exited the car, I was stories about Emmett Kelly through the eyes of his
filled with so many emotions, I cried. It was such a
bittersweet moment, Rufus D Dufus is gone now,
Marcoh, taken so early by the evils of cancer, even
Emmett Kelly Jr., but the town was the same, the old
paintings of Emmett Kelly were still visible, even a
painting of myself created by local and amazing artist
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