The annual Emmett Kelly Clown Festival drew crowds and lots of red noses to downtown Houston on Saturday. The event honors the world-famous clown who was raised on a farm east of Houston and had his first professional job at the Old Settlers Reunion in Houston.
Kelly died in 1979. Kelly’s daughter, Stasia, and grandson, Zach, attended this year’s festivities. It was his first visit to the community. His brother made his inaugural visit last year.
The event is sponsored by the City of Houston, and organized by Brenda Senter to include activities, entertainment and vendors.
Events ranging from a 5K run to a parade were on the agenda. Food vendors lined the streets. An old festival foe — rain — failed to make an appearance this year, which likely helped attendance.
PHOTOGRAPHS FROM THE EMMETT KELLY CLOWN FESTIVAL
By 11 a.m., when the parade kicked off, crowds were lining each side of Grand Avenue, Houston’s thoroughfare through the downtown business district.
This year’s race drew the largest number of entries ever, Senter reported. Two Texas County communities — Houston and Cabool — were represented in band performances. Musical entertainment was on a grandstand at Pine Street and Grand Avenue. A quilt raffle generated funds for an art scholarship given to a Houston student. It was on display at The Corner.
There was a pre-festival gathering on Friday night at the Lone Star Annex on Main Street. About 40 attended — including some from out-of-state — to hear a presentation on Kelly’s life by Stasia Kelly and Chris Berry, a circus historian, about a planned monument of Kelly for the downtown business district and a call for volunteers to help expand the festival. It was sponsored by the Houston Community Foundation. The annual kindergarten circus — which always brings lots of smiles — was Friday at Hiett Gymnasium. Later, the STARS Foundation kicked off the first night of “Alice in Wonderland Jr.” at the Melba Performing Arts Center. Shows continue Friday and Saturday.
A historical marker about Kelly’s life was unveiled Saturday near the Houston Senior Center. Rep. Bennie Cook, R-Houston, and Sen. Brad Hudson, R-Cape Fair, also attended the festival. They are leading an effort to make “Emmett Kelly Day” the last Saturday in April in Missouri.
