Our Push Float Bear---- Newton, Fig

Clown Corps on YouTube!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bZKc4y9IqnU

Cookie's Day Out

Yesterday the Character Clown Corps had their last big official gathering before the Grand Floral Parade. We had our individual pictures taken for clown identification (really!) and a group picture as well which I'll post as soon as I get it. We are also invited to a meeting at City Hall and to the opening ceremonies for the Waterfront Village. Not sure if I'll be able to get in on either of those though. We all met at the Rose Festival office, many of us applying makeup and getting into costumes there. It was fun to see how much we've all gotten into our characters, and also fascinating to watch people apply makeup. I'm loving the small changes I've made to my character- Her name is Cookie, she now wears turquoise pants, and she has a new purse to fill with balloons and other fun stuff. So silly, I know, but it really feels like I've found my inner clown :o)

This was the first time Kate has seen me in full makeup besides in pictures. She was pretty intrigued. My clown friend Jody sent a clown nose for her and Angel sent her a lollipop. Boy was she pleased! Kate and I went to a benefit show for Clowns Without Borders on Friday night. It was a hoot. She really liked it and was excited about staying up past bedtime. She also laughed really super loud, and sometimes at completely different times as the adults. So fun!

Introducing Princess and Cookie the Clowns!

Hi Friends! I'm still having fun with the clowning adventures. Our group had a busy day Tuesday, our first time on TV. We were at the Memorial Coliseum on the Drew Carney Show in short segments between 5 and 7 am. Yikes it was early, I was up at 2 am, too excited to sleep. We also got to have lunch at The Governor hotel, catered by Jakes. Yum! It was a bit strange eating a formal meal with a group of clowns, but it was great conversation. We were surprise guests for the Rotary Luncheon. The Rose Princesses arrived about half way into our lunch, and were staged in the same room. So, imagine a dozen or so Rose Princesses and their escorts for the luncheon (mostly men in their sixties) waiting to enter the Rotary meeting, and then this group of clowns eating beef stew right in the middle of it all! The princesses were really fun to get to know, and it was our second time that day since they were at the coliseum in the morning as well. Turns out most of the clowns didn't have much of an appetite, so I managed to eat three desserts! Hope my clown clothes will still fit by the time the parade comes around! Our surprise worked out super well. We burst into the middle of the luncheon as the director of the Rose Festival was describing the first ever Clown Corps. People weren't expecting that kind of energy as it is usually a pretty formal group.

I just love the clowns I'm learning with. It's amazing to see how everyone is transforming into their character. I'm a bit uncertain about my character who is now named Mable. (See next paragraph)

Kate and I had a blast this afternoon dressing up together. She was so pleased to have me put makeup on her. She also had very clear ideas about what she wanted (imagine that!). She wanted "dots". So dots she got, and so did I! After our makeup session we helped each other pick out costumes. Turns out Kate is Princess the clown, and I am Cookie the clown! I like the feel of being Cookie the clown. She is very young and sweet feeling. I think my final character will be much more like Cookie, although I'm certain it will be a process of discovery to get to something that feels more permanent (doesn't that sound so serious!)

Here is a link for dates for those of you who have been asking. We'll be in the Junior Parade and in the Grand Floral Parade.
http://www.rosefestival.org/events/
Thanks for all your positive thoughts about my clowning stuff- what a blast!