At the 2002 Nevada Day parade in Carson City, Nevada, this Family of Clowns let us mingle with their group before their parade appearance. We took many photos of the Family members who were getting ready for the parade and we had an opportunity to ask questions and to visit with them before they had to perform.           Ronnie's Family of Clowns have performed in the Nevada Day Parade for the past 29 years. In 1991 they were paid the honor of being chosen as the parade's Grand Marshals and they received an official Proclamation from then Governor, Bob Miller. Ronnie, Sr. and Ronnie, Jr. have missed only one Nevada Day parade each (not at the same time) in 29 years. That's a pretty impressive record! Here is what else we learned about them on that Nevada Day morning.....           Ronnie Johnson, Sr. is the founder of the Family of Clowns and he has had a long relationship with clowning. His clown career began on a southern California race track in 1951. Ronnie drove Hollywood jalopies, midgets, sprint cars and stocks from the early 1950s up until the 1990s. The race track was the birthplace of his clowning career - which began as the response to a dare to race in costume. "I dressed up in a top hat and tails, then I walked on a red carpet to the car. Everyone at the track loved it!" Ronnie continued to race in costume and later on he added the make-up to complete his clown personna. He still uses that same clown face, today.           He enjoyed clowning so much that soon he was doing it off the track and he began to include his family in this new activity. Ronnie invested his time by attending clown camps in order to learn the newer techniques being used by other professional clowns. He says that it has helped him to fine tune and expand his own entertainment skills. He had to go out of state to attend these camps. "There just aren't very many that are held in Nevada, especially in northern Nevada," Ronnie told me. He said that he would like to see more clown conventions and clown camps come to this area.           The original Family of Clowns included Ronnie Johnson, Sr., and his children - Ronnie Johnson, Jr., Jeanette and Barbara Johnson. These days the number of clown family performers depends on how many of the children, grandchildren, spouses, nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles, cousins, brothers, sisters, friends and friends' families are around when there is an upcoming parade or event. All of the first-time clowns are warmly welcomed and instructed in proper clown behaviour by the veteran performers in the Family of Clowns. The combined talent of this mixed group of clowns is awesome. Some of the clowns juggle, some perform slap-stick, some make you smile by just looking at them, some tie balloons, and some ride unicycles...even a six foot unicycle!           When he was in junior high school, Ronnie, Jr. taught himself to ride the 6 foot unicycle. Later on, he taught himself to juggle while riding his unicycle. He now performs this impressive feat on a regular basis with the Family of Clowns. His sister, Jeanette, seems to be the "Mom" of the group. She appeared to know where each clown was and what they were up to at any given time. Jeanette, with best friend and fellow clown - Sam, spent the morning assisting other Family members with their make-up, costumes and props. It seemed they both had a smile for everyone they spoke to or helped.           Sam's brother made his debut at this year's parade. Although a little shy about appearing in front of the public in grease paint, he submitted to being made-up and dressed up for the festivities. Sam's nephew, C.J. performed with the Family again this year. C.J. is a teenager that has been juggling professionally for years. He alternated between rings and bats for this Nevada Day Parade performance. If you are interested in having a juggler at your next event, C.J. is an exceptional performer that is for hire. You may contact the Family and they will see that he gets the necessary information.           The Family of Clowns have also appeared as Caring Clowns. These are clowns that visit the injured and sick in hospitals and nursing homes. They have had to learn how to integrate their performance smoothly with the hospital's routine and the patients' special needs so that these audiences have the best "clown" experience possible.           Ronnie's group (or to say it properly in clowneze, his "Clown Alley") have also performed as the guests of a visiting circus, for various store openings and at fairs. Most of their clown time, more recently, is spent performing in parades, at birthday parties and for other special events.           We would like to thank Ronnie and his Family of Clowns. We had so much fun watching them prepare and perform. We are looking forward to seeing this group again next year. It was a wonderful experience to have the unique privilege of sharing briefly in the family spirit that seems to define this very special Family of Clowns.

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