Entertainment
Clowning around: Meet the clowns of Erie during International Clown Week
Mr. and Mrs. Black Santa bring joy, happiness to Erie children
Alicia and Daren Woodard, who also portray The Brown Clowns, promote inclusivity, cheer, family, fun and hope at their public and private appearances.
If you’re into clowning around, then it’s your time of year as International Clown Week is celebrated the first week of August annually. And Erie has got you covered.
Erie has two clown-based organizations and a popular, fun-loving couple who share the same goal of spreading happiness and laughter to anyone they encounter.
The Eriesistible Clowns, The Jolly Jesters and Woodard Dynasty Entertainment can be found at parades, festivals, and special and private events around Erie, wearing colorful outfits and spreading cheer, along with a few gimmicks, here and there.
International Clown Week recognizes the efforts clowns across the world put in just to make people laugh.
“When I put the clown nose on I become a different person,” said Camille “Feathers” Federoff, president of the Jolly Jesters. “I do things that I normally wouldn’t do. When I’m a clown I’m more outgoing because normally I’m an introvert, but when that nose goes on, I’m a different person. I can be silly.”
The Eriesistible Clowns and Jolly Jesters are both part of Clowns of America International while Woodard Dynasty Entertainment is its own organization.
Meet the Eriesistible Clowns
The Eriesistible Clowns began back in 1968 with a couple known as the Kurrys who had a vision of bringing laughter to Erie and the surrounding area.
The Eriesistible Clowns found a home at Kurry Hall at 512 Kelso Drive in 1971. From there they have gone on to do thousands of parades, parties and community events. They are members of the Clowns of America International (COAI) and have joined The Nonprofit Partnership.
If you walk into Kurry Hall during their monthly meetings on the first Thursday of the month you will find around 10 active members along with some lifetime members, or clowns that have been around for more than 15 years.
“It’s like a community or family that you learn from each other,” said Ryan “Rusty” Snyder, president of the Eriesistible Clowns. “You do a lot of community events with each other. No matter your skill level, you carry each other and keep each other on the job. It’s just fun family environment.”
For more information, visit the Eriesistible Clowns’ Facebook page.
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Meet the Jolly Jesters
The Jolly Jesters began back in 1976 by Marvin “Peanuts” Thomas. The Jesters have around 20 members, are part of the COAI and can be found at various community events.
“Where I taught school, the janitor was forming the Erie Jolly Jesters and he (asked), ‘would you be interested?'” Federoff said. “At that time our family was going through a sad time. I have five children and to keep them from hurting, we wanted to bring joy to other people. What we were dealing with made it easy for us and we went as the Silly Six and have been clowning for a number of years.”
Federoff said that clowning to her has been a family ordeal and has taught her children some valuable skills.
For more information or to get involved with the Jolly Jesters, call Federoff at 814-403-0353.
Clowning around with Woodard Dynasty Entertainment
Alicia and Darren Woodard began their clowning journey at their son’s birthday party when they provided the entertainment as clowns. From there they decided to take their passion and grow it into a business, which became officially registered in Pennsylvania in 2022.
“You must love people,” said Alicia Woodard, who goes by Mrs. Clown. “You have to love life, have happiness, encourage, and uplift. Smile and be happy. Wholeheartedly care about what you bring to the community by just being a clown.”
The Woodards are not associated with national clown organizations, but they are registered with the state.
If you want to learn more or help Woodard Dynasty Entertainment, contact them on Facebook.
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Clown college
If you ever thought about becoming a clown or learning the true art of entertainment, both the Eriesistible Clowns and Jolly Jesters offer a multi-week training program.
During these courses students will learn the art of clowning including how to properly apply makeup, how to make balloon animals, how to juggle, parade etiquette and more.
“It’s an eight-week course where we cover everything,” Snyder said. “It’s a fun time. I was in a rather big class and at the end we do a big performance which is fun because it mixes in every little detail of what you learn.”
Learn more about the Eriesistible Clowns’ clown college by sending them a message on Facebook. To contact the Jolly Jesters about clown college, give Federoff a call at 814-403-0353 for details.
Contact Nicholas Sorensen at nsorensen@gannett.com.
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