Rodeo Clown reunion
The Rodeo Clown Reunion was the inspiration of Karl Doering, a retired rodeo clown and bullfighter, from Roseburg, Oregon. The first gathering was held in June, 1974, in his hometown of Roseburg. It was a huge success and then entire community turned out to honor and kibbitz with these retired bullfighters-funnymen. It was decided to be held every third year during the Umpqua Valley Roundup rodeo. Doering died in 1983, but other retired laugh-getters and spouses kept it going. The last one held there was 1989. Jack Saulls, a PRCA Circuit committeeman, from Moses Lake, WA, held a reunion in Moses Lake during their annual rodeo in 1991. At that time it was decided by the attendees to turn it over to someone else.
Gail Woerner became the chairman of the next reunion, which was held in Guthrie, Oklahoma, in 1993. Fifty old-timers attended the activities in Guthrie, plus the annual 89er Days Rodeo, which was held at the Lazy E Arena. Nearby Oklahoma City also entertained the honorees including a luncheon adjacent to the National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum, and a tour of the facility. A Clown Mule Race was held at Remington Park, the pari-mutual race track, which was enjoyed by all spectators at the track that day.
Since that time Rodeo Clown Reunions have been held at the following rodeos: Pikes Peak or Bust in Colorado Springs; Rodeo de Santa Fe; Springdale AR; Stephenville, TX; Deadwood Days of ‘76, SD; Dodge City, KS; Pendleton RoundUp, OR; Sheridan, WY; and Guthrie, OK.
The Rodeo Clown Reunion is a very colorful and joyous event that entertains all ages when these characters of yesterday don their familiar make-up and costumes. They sign autographs, go to local clubs, hospitals, schools, etc., for appearances. They have been filmed for television programs by National Geographic, CNN, the cable TV show The Cowboy, and too many professional photographers to mention.
Anyone interested in holding a Rodeo Clown Reunion should contact Gail Woerner and ask for a proposal, which tells all there is to know about holding the event. The Rodeo Clown Reunion has been a ‘shot in the arm’ or ‘a breath of fresh air’ for an annual affair that needs a boost.
Gail began writing a newsletter to retired rodeo clowns, bullfighters and barrelmen at that time on a monthly basis, and continues to this day. Her letters are sometimes the only way shut-in former rodeo clowns know what is happening to their friends from their rodeo days. Not only are deaths and illnesses reported, but those that are being inducted in to various Halls of Fame across the nation, and other positive happenings of their contemporaries. Her address list has passed 200, and she never takes a widow off the list.
Gail Woerner became the chairman of the next reunion, which was held in Guthrie, Oklahoma, in 1993. Fifty old-timers attended the activities in Guthrie, plus the annual 89er Days Rodeo, which was held at the Lazy E Arena. Nearby Oklahoma City also entertained the honorees including a luncheon adjacent to the National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum, and a tour of the facility. A Clown Mule Race was held at Remington Park, the pari-mutual race track, which was enjoyed by all spectators at the track that day.
Since that time Rodeo Clown Reunions have been held at the following rodeos: Pikes Peak or Bust in Colorado Springs; Rodeo de Santa Fe; Springdale AR; Stephenville, TX; Deadwood Days of ‘76, SD; Dodge City, KS; Pendleton RoundUp, OR; Sheridan, WY; and Guthrie, OK.
The Rodeo Clown Reunion is a very colorful and joyous event that entertains all ages when these characters of yesterday don their familiar make-up and costumes. They sign autographs, go to local clubs, hospitals, schools, etc., for appearances. They have been filmed for television programs by National Geographic, CNN, the cable TV show The Cowboy, and too many professional photographers to mention.
Anyone interested in holding a Rodeo Clown Reunion should contact Gail Woerner and ask for a proposal, which tells all there is to know about holding the event. The Rodeo Clown Reunion has been a ‘shot in the arm’ or ‘a breath of fresh air’ for an annual affair that needs a boost.
Gail began writing a newsletter to retired rodeo clowns, bullfighters and barrelmen at that time on a monthly basis, and continues to this day. Her letters are sometimes the only way shut-in former rodeo clowns know what is happening to their friends from their rodeo days. Not only are deaths and illnesses reported, but those that are being inducted in to various Halls of Fame across the nation, and other positive happenings of their contemporaries. Her address list has passed 200, and she never takes a widow off the list.