LAUGHS GALORE AT THE RODEO CLOWN REUNION

By Gail Woerner
Posted Friday, June 5, 2009

The rodeo clown said to the announcer “My wife’s so fat. But she is in the audience.”

“I’ve seen your wife, she’s not so fat. Where is she sitting,” asks the inquisitive announcer?

“She’s in the bleachers, sitting in seats 12, 13, and 14,” the funnyman answers!

A rodeo clown’s humor never grows old. Some of the oldest jokes in the rodeo arena are still being told by today’s funnymen. The Rodeo Clown Reunion with gather at the Deadwood Days of ’76 Rodeo on July 23 through the 25th. The Honorees will be arriving from fourteen states including Florida, New York, Arkansas, Oklahoma, Texas, Arizona, Nevada and more. Their total years in the rodeo arena saving cowboys from harm and making the fans laugh total nearly seven hundred years. Some are former National Finals bullfighters and barrelmen and some have been inducted in to various Rodeo Halls of Fame across this country. Some used the profession to make a living to support their family for as long as forty plus years. Each one has a unique history. We even have one lady rodeo clown that kept the audience laughing for thirteen years.

Most of these “over-the-hill” cowboys have sustained injuries to their bodies that would make many people give up the profession for an easier and safer way to make a living. However these unique rodeo arena mainstays were not enticed by the money they made. The sound of the audience’s laughter and the adrenalin rush when saving a cowboy from injury or worse is what kept them in greasepaint and baggy britches.

During their stay in Deadwood these former bullfighters, barrelmen and laugh-getters will be signing autographs and entertaining during the four performances of the rodeo and riding in the parades. They will also visit near-by South Dakota attractions, such as Crazy Horse Monument, Mount Rushmore and the High Plains Western Heritage Center in Spearfish. The High Plains Western Heritage Center is holding a Show, open to the public, that will start at 7:00 PM. The Honorees will be filmed answering questions about their unique careers. This is part of the Center’s Campfire Series.

The Deadwood rodeo performances are held at 7:00 PM Thursday through Saturday and a Saturday, the 25th, 1:30 performance. The parades are held on Friday at 1:30 PM and Saturday morning at 10:00 AM. The Rodeo Clown Reunion Honorees will be in their familiar makeup and costumes. They like nothing better than to joke and talk with fans both young and old.

Additionally these “senior” characters will be signing autographs Thursday and Friday afternoon at the Mineral Palace Casino in downtown Deadwood. Include this visual and entertaining event to your summer plans. You’ll be glad you did. For information concerning the Deadwood Days of ’76 call 888-838-2855. For information regarding the Rodeo Clown Reunion contact Chairman Gail Woerner, 512-266-1001.