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Photo provided by Roger Parkins. Naomi Foley, left, also known as Peaches the Clown, and Roger Parkins, aka Rudiger Roo, of Laff Pack Clown Alley entertain children attending the Dungeness River Festival.
Most members of the group are retired seniors who entertain as a way to give back to the community.
A few members of the organization are professional entertainers and can be booked for private events.
Peaches the Clown, who is portrayed by Naomi Foley of Sequim, is the group’s most experienced professional clown.
She began training to be a clown in the Washington, D.C., area after retiring from the U.S. Army about 20 years ago.
“Learning to become a clown is more difficult than most people think,” Foley said. “It is not just putting on a colorful costume and some makeup and acting silly. Like everything else, it is a skill that takes time to develop.”
Foley has attended a variety of training programs including camps hosted by Ringling Brothers Circus clowns.
When a member of Laff Pack Clown Alley attends a training they are quick to share information with the group.
“One of the great things about this group is that we are so supportive of each other,” said Roger Parkins, who is better known as Rudiger Roo.
The group consists of eight longtime clowns — Foley, Parkins, Sandra Howard (Puffer Bella), Pat Chambers (Batty Patty), Larry Howard (Bo Humble), Charlene Clark (Bubbles), Penny Robinson (Jelly Bean) and Josie Carroll (JoJo).
Three fairly new members are Alayna Fellows (Rainbow), John Stephens (Silly Scottie) and T. Smith (Cookie).
Foley said it takes about six public performances for most people to become comfortable with their routine, but said it can take years to really develop a character and refine a costume and makeup.
When people contact Laff Pack Clown Alley about learning to become a clown they are asked to attend three group performances and are given books and materials to study.
People must also undergo a State Patrol background check before performing with the group.
“Being a clown takes commitment,” Foley said. “We are a volunteer group so there’s a time commitment, but there’s also a financial commitment because you must buy theatrical makeup and create a colorful costume.”
There are safety-related things to learn too, Foley said.
“You can’t give balloons to small children, you need to use special hypo-allergenic face paints and nontoxic glitters and you need to be sensitive to the fact that some people, especially small children, are afraid of clowns,” she said.
Members of the group say the rewards of being a clown are endless.
“Watching the excitement of young children when they first see you or making a senior smile is a great feeling,” Parkins said.
The group will entertain crowds at the upcoming Dungeness Valley Health and Wellness Clinic’s annual Clinic Fun Walk and Wellness Fair and the Dungeness River Festival.
For more information, phone Parkins at 360-457-7640.
Laff Pack Clown ALLEY will meet at Olympic Unitarian Universalist Fellowship Hall, 73 Howe Road, from 4 p.m. to
5:30 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 1.
Anyone interested in learning how to become a clown is welcome to attend.
The group meets at the church at 4 p.m. on the first Thursday of each month to plan upcoming outings and to share tips.
Laff Pack Clown Alley normally has two to four community performances each month.
For more information, phone 360-457-7640.
