VINCENNES —
The city of Vincennes will “paint the town Red” during its annual Red Skelton Festival that will feature a variety of activities for young and old.
Festivities will run through Sunday. The festival honors Vincennes native Red Skelton, America’s most beloved clown.
The “Red Skelton: One of America’s Clowns” exhibit opens at the Old State Bank at 114 N. Second St. The exhibit will remain on display throughout the festival; hours are noon to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Friday, and 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday.
The Clown School students will offer free entertain today at the World’s Biggest Birthday Party, celebrating everyone who has a birthday in 2012. Activities will take place from 6-8 p.m. at VU’s Donald G. Bell Student Recreation Center on Red Skelton Boulevard behind the Skelton Center.
On Friday a real Clown Pie Fight will commence at noon on the Skelton Center lawn. The Clown School students will be hurling clown pies at each other and audience members can choose to participate or just enjoy watching the mayhem.
The Red Skelton Clown Follies will be presented at the Skelton Center at 7 p.m. From slapstick to comedy to magic, this family-friendly show will feature lively entertainment for all ages. General admission tickets cost $10 and can be purchased at the door or in advance by calling the Skelton Center box office at (812) 888-4039. All proceeds from tickets sales will support the Red Skelton Museum.
The Red Skelton Festival will continue on Saturday with Paint the Town Red events downtown from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. There will be food vendors, children’s activities, and a variety of slapstick clown entertainment.
Sign-up will begin at 9 a.m. for a Doughnut Eating Contest. There will be both adult and young categories. The contest, which pays homage to Skelton’s famous skit about the different ways people dunk their doughnuts, will begin at 1 p.m. on the stage at Patrick Henry Square, near Second and Main streets.
On the stage at 2 p.m., following the contest, a Clown Beauty Pageant will feature local dignitaries styled by the Clown School students. The winner will be chosen by a panel of judges.
Red’s “Commentary on the Pledge of Allegiance” will be broadcast on radio station WZDM 92.1 and over the Main Street speakers beginning at 11 a.m., followed by the Parade of a 1,000 Clowns.
The Red Skelton Festival will culminate on Sunday with the Red Skelton Film Festival, 1 to 6 p.m., at the Fortnightly building, 421 N. 5th St. Admission is free.
For more information call 1-800-886-6443, or visit www.vincennescvb.org.
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Vincennes ready to ‘paint the town Red’
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