A Whoppin’ Good Time Was Had By All!!
I can’t believe it is September already. How time does fly when you are having fun. Our Rodeo Clown Reunion this past summer was one we won’t soon forget. The former rodeo clowns that attended were all ready to have a good time — and that we did. Our sponsors and the Fort Worth Stockyards couldn’t have been nicer or done more for us. The temperatures were ranging above 100 degrees all three days and off and on we were always able to slip in the Coliseum and barrels of cold water was there for us. But most of the time we were out with the crowds enjoying the western flavor of the historic Fort Worth Stockyards!
Forty-five laugh-getters and bull-baiters showed up. Forty-four men and Dixie Reger Mosley, the only woman rodeo clown who did it for thirteen years, all had a great time. The crowds during The National Day of the Cowboy were the greatest. It was evident they came prepared to have fun. The day started with different venues all over the Stockyards and Reunion-goers were here — there — and everywhere. Cow milking contests – mustache contests – face painting — music! Until . . . it was time for the parade. Then all forty-four piled on two low trailers and followed the Texas Longhorn Herd down Exchange Blvd. past Main Street and back to Billy Bob’s Texas.
After that, the Rodeo Clown Reunion laugh-getters got in front of the Coliseum and juggled, kidded with the audience, posed for hundreds of photos. They even had a stick horse rodeo and challenged the children to run against celebrities in the audience. A panel of rodeo clowns from Texas, Kansas, New Mexico, and New York were interviewed by the Announcer of the Rodeo about their lives and their unique professions as bullfighters, barrelmen and funnymen.
We all chowed down on catered dinners in the Coliseum both Friday and Saturday evenings before the rodeo. The food was sponsored by Riscky’s, and the fearless funnymen and their significant others raved about the food. During the rodeo, our Reunion rascals put on a couple of acts for the audience both nights. You see, although some have been away from the rodeo arena for a long, long, long time, they haven’t forgotten their timing nor their eagerness to entertain. They all carried an abundance of red noses, in their pockets, to share with the children they met.
After the rodeo, most of the ‘older set’ went back to the hotel, La Quinta Inn & Suites, and either crashed or sat in the large lobby and visited and told stories of “the good old days.” Up early and back in the lobby for a tasty breakfast the next morning, and more fun to be had. Some of the younger (and I’m talking 50 and over) went to Billy Bob’s Texas for some dancing and more. The comments the next day were ‘They’d never seen anything like it!” How great is that?
We even had a Ladies Luncheon, which is held strictly for the ladies that accompany their former rodeo clowns to this venue. After all, many of these ladies were the ones that had to stay at home with the children while the men worked rodeo to rodeo all over the place. They were entertained by Devon Dawson, a Fort Worth western diva who has an amazing repertoire of western music, plus songs she has written, which were perfect for this group. Also Teresa Burleson, the 2017 Lady Poet of Texas, recited some of her creations, to the delight of everyone there.
You see, this is an event that entices those former rodeo clowns that commit to come early and stay late. Although it was a three-day event, some were there for six days. It is so good to see friends from across this great nation that have a background of entertaining rodeo audiences and saving cowboys from harm or worse. It is also a great time to meet new people, they might have heard about for years, but were at different rodeos across the nation and their paths never crossed - - until the Rodeo Clown Reunion.
Our sponsors were the greatest. Some have been giving us gifts to give away for years. We do appreciate their participation in our event. Thanks to everyone that attended the reunion, those that came to the Fort Worth Stockyards for The National Day of the Cowboy, and those that we interacted with in some way while there. Until the next one . . .
Forty-five laugh-getters and bull-baiters showed up. Forty-four men and Dixie Reger Mosley, the only woman rodeo clown who did it for thirteen years, all had a great time. The crowds during The National Day of the Cowboy were the greatest. It was evident they came prepared to have fun. The day started with different venues all over the Stockyards and Reunion-goers were here — there — and everywhere. Cow milking contests – mustache contests – face painting — music! Until . . . it was time for the parade. Then all forty-four piled on two low trailers and followed the Texas Longhorn Herd down Exchange Blvd. past Main Street and back to Billy Bob’s Texas.
After that, the Rodeo Clown Reunion laugh-getters got in front of the Coliseum and juggled, kidded with the audience, posed for hundreds of photos. They even had a stick horse rodeo and challenged the children to run against celebrities in the audience. A panel of rodeo clowns from Texas, Kansas, New Mexico, and New York were interviewed by the Announcer of the Rodeo about their lives and their unique professions as bullfighters, barrelmen and funnymen.
We all chowed down on catered dinners in the Coliseum both Friday and Saturday evenings before the rodeo. The food was sponsored by Riscky’s, and the fearless funnymen and their significant others raved about the food. During the rodeo, our Reunion rascals put on a couple of acts for the audience both nights. You see, although some have been away from the rodeo arena for a long, long, long time, they haven’t forgotten their timing nor their eagerness to entertain. They all carried an abundance of red noses, in their pockets, to share with the children they met.
After the rodeo, most of the ‘older set’ went back to the hotel, La Quinta Inn & Suites, and either crashed or sat in the large lobby and visited and told stories of “the good old days.” Up early and back in the lobby for a tasty breakfast the next morning, and more fun to be had. Some of the younger (and I’m talking 50 and over) went to Billy Bob’s Texas for some dancing and more. The comments the next day were ‘They’d never seen anything like it!” How great is that?
We even had a Ladies Luncheon, which is held strictly for the ladies that accompany their former rodeo clowns to this venue. After all, many of these ladies were the ones that had to stay at home with the children while the men worked rodeo to rodeo all over the place. They were entertained by Devon Dawson, a Fort Worth western diva who has an amazing repertoire of western music, plus songs she has written, which were perfect for this group. Also Teresa Burleson, the 2017 Lady Poet of Texas, recited some of her creations, to the delight of everyone there.
You see, this is an event that entices those former rodeo clowns that commit to come early and stay late. Although it was a three-day event, some were there for six days. It is so good to see friends from across this great nation that have a background of entertaining rodeo audiences and saving cowboys from harm or worse. It is also a great time to meet new people, they might have heard about for years, but were at different rodeos across the nation and their paths never crossed - - until the Rodeo Clown Reunion.
Our sponsors were the greatest. Some have been giving us gifts to give away for years. We do appreciate their participation in our event. Thanks to everyone that attended the reunion, those that came to the Fort Worth Stockyards for The National Day of the Cowboy, and those that we interacted with in some way while there. Until the next one . . .
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