What it the true measure of the rodeo clown? If you are anywhere near Dodge City, Kansas, from July 30th through August 3rd, come to the Dodge City Days celebration and PRCA rodeo and see for yourself. There are forty retired rodeo clowns arriving to sign autographs and entertain the fans from every direction – Montana, South and North Dakota, New Mexico, Florida, Texas, Oklahoma, New York, Louisiana, Arkansas, Colorado, Michigan and Missouri. They will don their familiar make-up and big baggy britches and get laughs where ever they happen to be.
The old-timers were funnymen who entertained with all kinds of animal acts from chimps to donkeys. Some even used buckin’ fords that would spout water and fireworks. They also spent their time saving bull riders from two thousand pounds of fury with their finesse and athleticism. Some were so smooth it made those observing them think it was easy. Hahahahahaha.
Others were barrelmen, and they used their barrels, often called ‘the clown lounge’ as protection against those cantankerous bulls. It is not unheard of to hear one of the honorees talk about getting a horn stuck in the barrel and being tossed across the arena. Although the barrel was a ‘safe haven’ in the arena, from the bull, it was still a dangerous job and they had their share of injuries.
They’ve all had their share of injuries – broken arms and legs, gored by horns, head injuries, teeth knocked out, and more, but they seldom talk about it. To them it was just part of their job. Often they were forced to work in spite of injuries because if they didn’t there was no pay. They are tough!!
The true measure of the rodeo clown is the people he’s entertained and made laugh and the cowboys he’s saved from injury or death. Come visit, shake their hands, get an autograph, and let these fearless characters of yesterday’s arena know how much they are appreciated. For information contact Chairman,
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