Every few years there is Shriners convention that takes place in Siouxland, Sioux City to be specific, with the Abu Bekr Shrine Center here hosting. One of the events open to the public is a competition of Shriner Clowns from this region that includes, Iowa, Wisconsin, North and South Dakota. Minnesota and Michigan. These folk get together, share their craft, and work to improve upon it as the majority of their time is spent in Shriner hospitals interacting with children undergoing medical treatment.
The clowns are judged by other clowns, or rather, members of a Shrine center outside of the region. They are judged on their costuming and then on short skits, never longer than 3 minutes, and sometimes as short as the time it takes to walk onto the “stage’ and off again, as one clown did during this contest. And the skits are quite silly. But to a sick child, am certain they each brings smiles and a relief, however brief, from whatever pain or emotional distress they and their family is going through. And these gentlemen seem to relish every bit of being the “class clown” and performing.
Jerry Mennenga
Sioux City, Iowa
