Tehachapi News

Suzi Q clowning around Tehachapi

larger view

My clowning started ten years ago when my husband Ralph and I were inside a thrift shop looking for parade costumes. That's when I spotted a brand new clown costume complete with a red foam nose still in its package, a never before worn wig, and brand new giant clown shoes, all for $3. I was hooked, so for the past ten years I have donned various clown costumes as Suzi Q The Clown during the 4th of July parades in Tehachapi. Many times, parents have told me that I'm the first clown their little ones have ever seen, so I want it to be a positive and fun experience for them.

In early 2010 I began exploring the professional world of parade clowning and quickly became friends with Pricilla Mooseburger (her clown name). Mooseburger used to perform with the Ringling Brothers Barnum and Bailey Circus.  Now retired from circus life, Mooseburger offers ordinary people the opportunity to attend clowning camps all over the United States.

In 2009 one of our neighbors loaned me a tricycle for the parade. It was a rather odd looking tricycle that had been rebuilt from the spare parts of other tricycles. Once at the parade I peddled as fast as my clown feet could go when suddenly my tricycle started picking up too much speed. It suddenly dawned on me there are no brakes on tricycles! Directly ahead of me was the behind of a very big horse. I did what any self-respecting and desperate clown would do, I used my giant size 14 clown shoes to slow the tricycle down and move far away from the big horse. I looked behind me only to see black skid marks coming from the bottoms of my shoes and the smell of burning rubber, ... hot shoes, hot shoes.

Just when I thought things couldn't get any worse, they did; the handlebars came off the tricycle, EEEK. I made it to a grassy area where I spotted a shade tree. The tricycle and I toppled to the grass sideways, my giant orange clown gloves still gripping the handlebars, and the giant tires spinning. As I breathed-in the hot July air my dear husband Ralph located me and simply asked ... whatcha doin' clown baby?”

In 2006, I remember after much begging and bribery, Art and Linda Ricketts of Bear Valley Springs allowed me to ride shotgun on their replica of a Wells Fargo Stage Coach; a bright red stage coach with gold leafing design that Art built to-scale. A team of four beautiful miniature horses pulled the stage coach filled with children (and a clown). I will always remember dressing up as a clown that year and riding next to a real cowboy who resembles 'Curly' from the movie, City Slickers! Thank you Art and Linda for the fun and memories!

Susie Wright lives in Bear Valley Springs.