2023 President: Jim ‘Jimbo’ Herman

What Makes a Noble a Shrine Clown?

There Are Three Types Of Clowns:

White Face — ‘JIMBO’ Is A White Face Clown

Tramp-Hobo August Face — ‘RONBO’ Is A Tramp August Clown

And a Character Clown — ‘SYLLY’ Is A Character August Clown

If you would like to try out for the Clown Unit, we have extra costumes for you to wear, along with wigs and other related costume stuff. And we will help you put the makeup on.

If you decide to commit to being A Shrine Clown, you must join the Clown Unit. You will have to decide on a name that is kid friendly and a face that must be friendly (always look happy), and which style of costume you are going to wear. Then, with the help of the other clowns in the unit, you will develop your character.

The costume comes from an inner feeling as to what makes you feel the best. There have been plenty of clowns before us to look at and to get an idea of where to start.

Once you have a face style that you are comfortable with and an outfit that feels good, you are ready for the greatest experience of a lifetime.

When you first interact with the crowd of kids and adults you will realize that you now represent the great Shrine organization, and you carry with you all that responsibility.

Your actions must always be correct. No Smoking, no drinking of alcohol, and no dirty words or suggestive actions.

If you find anyone afraid of you, you must walk away as fast as you can.

Anyone can put on a costume and make balloons, but to be a Shrine Clown you must feel in your heart and soul how the kids think and feel and get down to their level of sight and understanding. You cannot just walk around looking like a clown, you must ‘Be a Clown.’ That means you must carry tricks or magic stuff, a small animal or mouse with which to get the kid’s attention. Then you must entertain them for a moment. We do not act out our part for the adults, but we do include them in the fun with their kids. We try to entertain the ‘Little People.’ Most other Shrine units do not mix with the people on the same level that clowns do, and it takes years and a lot of practice to fully feel your character’s comfort zone within the different crowds and situations we get into.

We Perform At:

Nursing Homes – Church Events – Hospitals

Local, Shrine, and Holiday Parades – Special Olympics Events
Boys And Girls Clubs – Special School Events – Special Picnic Events

Circuses – Store Openings –Kids Cancer Survivor Events – Company Parties

And anywhere else we are needed.

We don’t always get paid for what we do, but we represent the Shrine in everything we do.

To become a good Shrine Clown you have to be created with the time and help of the other clowns in the Unit.  Your brother clowns will mentor you and they will all become your best friends.  We really love performing with each other on a level that is hard to understand or explain.  There are times when we are placed in uncomfortable situations, such as kids that are disfigured, kids who have lost limbs, or are burn hospital kids.  This is when we realize that we are Shrine Clowns.  We are there to entertain and everyone is normal in our eyes and we are there to make the kids happy.  We can always cry later.

Last but not least, we are always being photographed,  so we must always look good, and remember, your actions will be found on social media!

Floyd “Twigs” Hartwig

A Clowns Prayer (Author Unknown)

As I stumble through this life,
help me to create more laughter than tears,
dispense more happiness than gloom,
spread more cheer than despair.
Never let me become so indifferent
that I will fail to see the wonder
in the eyes of a child
or the twinkle in the eyes of the aged.
Never let me forget that my total effort
is to cheer people, make them happy
and forget – at least momentarily –
all the unpleasantness in their lives.
And, in my final moment,
may I hear You whisper:
‘When you made My people smile,
you made Me smile.’