How many of you have walked a parade and actually done some "parade ability" skits while you walk? Or have you just walked and waved? Doing parade ability is just so much more fun! I have done the Swallows Day parade with my groups of 4H clowns here in San Juan Capistrano for over 15 years, but in the last two years my children have all grown up and so I don't work with the 4H clowns anymore. Last year I got a group of Volunteer Clowns of Orange County together, (one of the clubs I belong to) and we were clown pirates "walkin' the plank! We brought my big stuffed dog with a leash and as the captain I ordered each clown pirate to take their turn walking "Plank" the dog....What ideas do each of you have for parades?

That's cute. I like it.

For the walk the plank bit, my Dad wrote a pirate gag for Moose Camp a few years ago, when the pirate clown had to walk the plank at the end of the gag, it was a plank in an invisible dog leash. (The plank was made out of Styrofoam so it wouldn't be too heavy.)

At six flags river ride we took that a step further. You might be asked to stop a board. (stepping right on the 2x4) or hop a board (I'm sure you get it now) climb a board (lean the board against something so you can walk up it) walk the plank, (with a piece of rope) Just don't trip a board (with board standing tall, kick the bottom out) or you might fall over board (drop the wood into the river) we might have to give you 1st, 2nd or even 3rd aid and you may end up...stiff as a board. (demonstrating the wood is solid) but we would still like to welcome (with the board extended to shake) you a board. you shake one end while person shakes the other.

Not really a parade bit, but it reminded me of it. Parts of it could work.

I think the 'Welcome a Board" is a good one to run with....

When I would work with the 4H Junior Joeys, I would let them come up with their own parade ability ideas. The 4Hers really liked the clown pirate theme and so one year they decided to have "Wenches for Sale". Two of the clowns dressed up as girly wench clowns and the rest of the scurvy crew dragged them along with rope and kept them in line with swords. (Of course it was soft rope and play swords....LOL) The kids loved being "Pirates" with all of their AARRRGGHHHHS!! and me bein thar captain! We would stop along the parade route when it would slow down and try to auction off the wenches while they would beg for mercy...they were pretty good at it. If no one was interested in buying wenches to help us buy goods for our ship, then I would offer a trade for one of the children on the sidelines to make em part o the crew. I did have some takers but the parents weren't goin fer
it...AAARRRRGGGHHH!!!

That's cute. I like it.

A bevy of Hula dancers followed by a clown pushing a reel type lawn mower

That's cute. I like it.

A lobster playing the trumpet -

A clam on the clarinet -

A shark on the saxaphone -

A dolphin on the drums -

Its just not a parade until the Marine Band marches by!

THIS I like!

That's cute. I like it.

Carry a big, oversized penny. Tell people, "I'm lucky!"

That's cute. I like it.

That's cute. I like it.

That's cute. I like it.

That's cute. I like it.

That's cute. I like it.

That's cute. I like it.

Out of Curiosity, Bgrdnz, Who is the clown in the act? I know that Bill Ballantine did that gag during his time but I think Harry Dann performed it before Ballantine did.
Harry Is one of my favorite clowns and the Best Picture clown out there.

That's cute. I like it.

A wild guess. And Ballantines book. I am familiar with the story of how Ballantine joined out, But I have never seen a photo of Harry Dann with an Elaborate walkaround prop. I have seen photos of him with his pet duck, Horatio. But, I don't think I've seen a photo of him with a prop. Please bear in mind though I travel in the small circles.
I was hoping that perhaps you had the holy grail.

That's cute. I like it.

That's cute? I like it.

Thanks for the info, Bgrdnz. I guess Ringling still benefited from his experience. It is my understanding he was well respected as the clown college dean.

That's cute. I like it.

Ya gotta love circus nicknames. One wonders how Mrs. B. got her whiskers.

That's cute. I like it.

I saw some giant fake ears at Dollar Tree the other day. Instead of a tray of corn, you could have a tray of big plastic human ears. I'm going to run out and buy a dozen "Ears" today!

Dress like a vendor. Carry a tray full of corn on the cob with a large sign, "$1.00 Each" on the front of the tray.

Or dress like a PIRATE vendor and the sign says "Corn for Sale, only a BUC AN EER!"

Give folks the unexpected. Wear your "Groucho" nose and glasses - as separate pieces. When people chuckle at your funny face - take off your glasses to reveal the nose still on your face! Surprise!

I guess the Groucho nose may have to be your "clown" nose for the day, but it's a fun gag!