Clown Hall of Fame Opens Today

Today (May 13) is opening day of the 2024 summer season at The International Clown Hall of Fame and Research Center in Baraboo, Wisconsin.

The current season of Top Chef is in Wisconsin this year, and a mighty lackluster season it is thus far, at about mid-season. I keep saying, “Go to Baraboo, go to Baraboo!” I don’t know if they will, but it’s honestly the only place in Wisconsin that’s on my agenda to visit. It was the home of the Ringling Brothers, and it’s been the location of the Circus World Museum since 1959. There’s also the Al Ringling Mansion, which is both a museum and a hotel. And since 2010, the town has also had the Clown Hall of Fame, unaffiliated with the other organizations, and run by some guys I’ve followed on social media for over a decade. They also promote the terrific website Clown Alley, which was started by Pat Cashin, who passed away back in 2016. I mean, I don’t known what circus themed food the contestants of Top Chef would cook in Baraboo. Popcorn? I assure you they don’t want to serve what the performers get to eat in the cook tent. But at least there would be something colorful to look at on the damn tv screen, which is more than they’ve presented thus far in the current season!

For more on the Clown Hall of Fame, how and where to visit, and what it is, go here.