Clowning Around In Bloomington

The World Clown Association Convention is underway at the Crown Plaza Suites in Bloomington. Pam Moody is the President of the WCA and hails from Iowa. She said in a KARE 11 report that it's a fun event but there are also educational opportunities and competitions.

She went on to say that there are 50 different daily classes like "presenting perfect pies," "evolution of the gag" and "social media marketing."

One of the discussions and concerns is for those clowns who were once with the no out of business Ringling Brothers Barnum and Baily Circus.

She said that popularity in being a clown has decreased a bit in the US but is very popular in other parts of the world. She went on in the story to say that "By far, they outrank USA-based clowns in skill, makeup," she said. "When I clowned in India and Thailand, they literally have to get bodyguards for you because of the tens of thousands of people that will show up."

You can come out and see some of the clowns perform in a parade competition from to 2 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. Tuesday at the Mall of America.