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Clownfest 2011, the thirtieth such festival held in Seaside Heights, held its parade on Sunday. This is from near the start of the parade, which I feel the need to note was lead by a police officer driving a Smart car. |
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Besides the professional clowns a number of amateurs, including several groups of students, parched and did their best to entertain in the walk. |
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There were many quite clever costumes, including this one which fit the actual clown between two mannequins for a self-generating parade. |
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Between groups of clowns came marching bands, including this one from my sudden and inexplicable nemesis of Weehawken. |
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Many clowns attempted some stunt with the crowd; she, for example, showed off her yardstick, which she found to have only two feet. Consider what may be on the other side. |
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Several clowns did team acts, as in this bride and husband Richard Nixon ... |
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... with a fishing pole. He would keep running ahead, only to be reeled back in. |
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Among the gags on display: an Exotic Bee Collection. |
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Not everyone was either a clown or a marching band member: here's one who delighted me at least with a balloon drum. Also note the chef clown who made a hamburger and held the pickle. |
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I just like this shot, which I think gets the enthusiasm of little kids watching uncountable clowns going by. |
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Several clowns came with their puppet companions. Here, children just don't quite know what to make of the offer to pet the bunny. (She eventually did.) |
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Another pair of clowns show off their prop. It's their Magic Hare Dryer. |
Trivia: The Jones Act of 1920, intended to stabilize the United States's merchant marine, prohibits foreign-built vessels from operating United States domestic trade, even though the ship may be owned by a United States company, fly the United States flag, and have a United States hailing port. (It may operate from a United States to a foreign port.) Source: Box Boats: How Container Ships Changed The World, Brian J Cudahy.
Currently Reading: Another Science Fiction: Advertising The Space Race 1957 - 1962, Megan Prelinger.