Scary clown stories bad for entertainment business

by Cori Hilsgen

news@thenewsleaders.com

As a clown in the entertainment business, Wesley Newman’s profits have declined by about a third because of all the scary clown stories circulating lately.

Newman, who lives in Watkins, is the owner of “Just 4 Laffs Entertainment,” located on Clearwater Road in St. Cloud.

He said he started noticing something was changing when he had not been getting as many calls inquiring about his business’s clown services. Clients of Newman’s customers also started requesting they perform in “normal dress” and asking if they offered other “characters” that could entertain, instead of clowns.

A fear of clowns spread across the nation after unsubstantiated reports of various clown sightings began. Many of the reports were not true, but some incidents of people dressed as clowns and intimidating people resulted in arrests.

Wesley is a member of Clowns of American International and previously was a member of The World Clown Association and the International Shrine Clown Association. He first heard about the negative clown stories through his professional contacts.

“I knew when the clown story broke in Wisconsin about the scary clown, and everything just escalated from there,” he said.

The Wisconsin clown story started in August when residents began calling police, inquiring about a clown walking through Green Bay with four black balloons. The clown began to be known as “Gags – The Green Bay Clown.”

The creator of the clown had used it as a marketing plan to campaign for his new horror film called Gags.

“Mostly, after a longer conversation and some education, I’ve been able to assure the client we are good clowns and contrary to popular belief, more adults are scared of clowns than children are,” Wesley said. “The scary clown thing is actually a rubber mask – not a professional entertainer.”

Wesley began entertaining as a clown in 1993 when a family friend convinced him to accompany him to an organizational meeting of a new club starting up in Monticello.

Wesley said after he realized the enjoyment he could bring to children at the local hospital, he was hooked and just had to perform again.

Wesley and five other contractors perform shows. Wesley said he started his Just 4 Laffs Entertainment business so he could have a more professional business. Performers for the business are based in St. Cloud, but travel all over Central Minnesota.

He currently entertains under his clown personality as “Baloo Baphoon.” His performances include twisting balloons into various shapes and performing magic tricks.

Newman has performed at many events, including twisting-balloon demonstrations at wedding receptions and at a funeral.

Shari Newman, a St. Joseph resident, is one of the independent entertainers who works for Just 4 Laffs. She and Wesley were once married, but no longer are. Wesley said they are still good friends.

Shari’s clown name is “Mz. Tootsie” and she has been clowning for more than eight years.

Shari became interested in entertaining after watching Newman perform and seeing the children’s smiles because of him being there.

“So when he had his next show, I asked if I could go as a clown,” she said. “He did my makeup and I went.”

After watching the children smile, Shari said she was hooked.

“It made me feel good clowning and making both children and (adults) happy,” she said.

As Mz. Tootsie, she performs in a light-hearted and caring way. She also creates balloon animals and has helped with magic shows.

Some of Shari’s performances have included New Year’s events at St. Cloud State University, the St. Joseph Fourth of July celebration, church festivals, county fairs, corporate events, birthday parties, at day cares and more.

She said the scary clown stories have required her to answer more questions about what a scary clown is. Shari has also had to explain about “coulrophobia” – the irrational fear of clowns.

“It has also made me notice more how people are looking at me as I am driving to a show in full clown (dress),” she said. “I have always gotten (questioning) looks. It is just more so now.”

Often, people will take a picture of her dressed as a clown while she is driving her car.

Shari said going into a store, dressed as a clown, made her anxious at first. However, once in the store, she got many curious stares but was also asked by people if they could take a picture with her.

People have told her she looked awesome and some have asked her if she is scary. Shari said she then explains about who she performs for and what she does as a clown.

Recently, she has had some inquiries asking if she could dress as a scarecrow, gypsy, pirate, princess or other character instead of a clown.

She said even with the scary clown things going on, she still loves getting out and making people smile while she performs as a clown.

“I will continue to perform because of the joy and happiness it brings me and the ones I am performing for,” Shari said. “The joy I see in the faces of everyone I perform for outweighs the (negative) glances I get. I enjoy being a clown and by being Mz. Tootsie, it helps me as much as it makes the children smile.”

Just 4 Laffs offers live entertainers for events, as well as classes for all ages on balloon-twisting, magic and the art of clowning.

For more information, visit www.Just4LaffsMN.com or email Wesley Newman at just4laffsmn@gmail.com.