Houston will celebrate Saturday with the annual Emmett Kelly Clown Festival.
From 9:30 to 11 a.m., Kirk Pierce will sing a variety of music that reflects his interest, from originals inspired by his roots in the Ozarks to covers by Cher and the Grateful Dead. Kirk is sure to perform something for everyone.
After the 11 a.m. parade, the Clowns attending the Festival will perform skits on the stage and there will be an Emmett Kelly look-a-like youth contest. Prizes will be awarded after the performances.
The STARS Foundation will perform a variety show from 12:30 to 1 p.m. There will be many young adults from the area performing who attend the Foundation’s programs of fine arts.
The Houston High School Jazz Band will perform a set of entertaining jazz music on stage from 1:15 to 1:45 p.m. The Jazz Band has continued to grow and bring outstanding performances in competitions and at events.
Chrome 45 will take the stage from 2 to 4 p.m. Since 2016, Tim Henderson (vocals), Josh York (piano/guitar) and Andrew Stockard (drums) have been performing together, blending rock with a diverse range of musical influences. Tim and Josh, who have played together since high school, bring a deep creative synergy, while Andrew’s dynamic drumming adds power and precision to their sound. Known for their energetic performances and versatility, Chrome 45 delivers engaging live shows that captivate audiences across various venues and events.
Musicians are sponsored by Lilia’s Taqueria and The Bank of Houston.
Numerous activities planned
CAR SHOW
Registration starts at 8 a.m. at Grand Avenue and Main Street. Awards will be distributed at 12:30 p.m. There will be first-place trophies for each category, best of show and fan favorite. A barbecue plate will be offered.
PARADE
Persons are invited to participate in the 11 a.m. parade. Area Shriners are expected for the spectacle and to participate in clown competitions. There are awards for best clown skit, best duet clown skit, best group skit and best costume with character.
LIKE-ALIKE CONTEST
There will be an Emmett Kelly look-alike contest for children ages 5-12 and teens 13-19.
5K RUN
Check-in begins at 8 a.m. from the Lone Star Plaza at First and Pine streets. Race start time is 9 a.m. Children start at 8:45. Prizes will be awarded from a downtown stage at 9:15 a.m. To register: https://houstonmo.recdesk.com/Community/Program. The entry fee is $25 until March 31, $30 until April 12; and $35 from April 13 to race day. (No guarantee of T-shirt if registering after April 12). The fun run is $10 through April 12 and $15 from April 13 to race day. There are $100 cash prizes for fastest female runner and male runner. Prizes planned for fastest female and male in age categories, including children. For questions, call Robbie Mortensen, parks director, at 417-260-1155 or rmortensen@houstonmo.org.
QUILT RAFFLE
The restorative justice program at the South Central Correctional Center at Licking has crafted a quilt that will raffled. It is displayed The Corner at Pine Street and Grand Avenue.
ART COMPETITION
The Houston Art Club will display Kelly artwork at Forbes Pharmacy at Grand Avenue and First Street. Prizes will be awarded for the best pieces. Houston High School students are engaged in a contest to design the 5K T-shirts. Prizes will be awarded to the best.
SCHOOL PRESENTATIONS
Kelly’s daughter, Stasia, and Chris Berry, a circus historian with the Circus Historical Society, are slated to do presentations at the Houston School District on Friday, April 25.
OTHER ACTIVITIES
A photograph opportunity with clowns at the stage is 12:30 to 1:30 p.m. A meet and greet event with Kelly’s daughter, Stasia, and Berry is at The Corner from 2 to 3 p.m. Bouncy houses are available 9 to 5 p.m.
The annual kindergarten circus, a festival favorite, is 6 to 7 p.m. Friday night, April 25, on Hiett Gymnasium on the Houston Schools campus.
The STARS Foundation is performing “Alice in Wonderland” Friday and Saturday night at the Melba Performing Arts Center on Grand Avenue.
VENDING OPPORTUNITIES
There is still room for vendors. Contact organizer Brenda Senter at hisel1970@yahoo.com or call 918-527-6282.
‘Meet and greet’ set to discuss Kelly, town’s aspirations for local efforts
A local organization is sponsoring a “meet and greet” event for local residents to learn more about the life of the world-famous clown whose start began in Houston.
The event, sponsored by Houston Community Foundation, will be held in conjunction with the annual Emmett Kelly Clown Festival, which is the last Saturday of April annually.
Houston Community Foundation is hosting the event on Friday, April 25, at the Lone Star Annex, 114 W. Main St., in Houston.
The public will meet Stasia Kelly, daughter of Emmett Kelly Sr., and Chris Berry, a circus historian. They will share valuable history in pictures and videos about the hometown boy who became famous as “Weary Willie.”
“As a community, we will also discuss with them opportunities afforded us to honor Emmett throughout Houston such as the historical marker that will be revealed on the day of the festival, a planned bench sculpture of Emmett spearheaded by Downtown Houston Inc., a designated day of the year for Emmett Kelly in Missouri and tourism ideas to not only grow our festival, but to create ideas for people to visit Houston,” said Brenda Senter, a festival organizer.
Doors open at 6:30 p.m. with light refreshments and a program at 7 p.m.
For more information, contact Ross Richardson, foundation president, at 817-403-7203. The foundation supports activities that better the community and offers several scholarships. It also works with individuals who want to create funds that help the town. Often, that is done with estate planning.
‘Alice in Wonderland, Jr.’ coming to Melba
The STARS Foundation will present Disney’s “Alice in Wonderland, Jr.” for six shows at the Melba Performing Arts Center in Houston.
The show times are: 7 p.m. Friday, April 25; 3 p.m. and 7 p.m. Saturday, April 26 (Emmett Kelly Clown Festival is downtown, too); 7 p.m. Friday, May 2; and 3 and 7 p.m. Saturday, May 3.
Prepay and reserve tickets for $8 by calling 417-217-9430 or purchase $10 tickets at the door.
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