CLOWN TO ENTERTAIN IN PHILLIPSBURG

Gizmo McCracken has multiple identities. But no one's going to throw him in a psychiatric ward because of it. The rodeo clown and barrel man uses his different personalities to entertain rodeo crowds, and he'll do just that when he comes to Kansas' Biggest Rodeo in Phillipsburg July 30, 31 and August 1.

The Fairview, Mo. man grew up fighting bulls but switched over to clowning when he realized "I could make a lot more money being funny than being scared" as a bullfighter.

Always a jokester, he says, "I was always that kid they sent home from school with a note pinned on his shirt: ‘Don't send him back till his problems are fixed.' I just turned it into a career."

Making people laugh comes naturally to Gizmo, and he loves doing it. His characters range from an ostrich jockey to Mustang Sally to the fat cop and the music man, and his acts are just as varied: an ambulance, shrinking machine, golf act, elephant hunting, and the chicken rocket.

He strives to make sure rodeo fans get their money's worth. A sticky note on his mirror, where he applies his clown makeup, reminds him before each rodeo: ‘Respect the fan's time.' "I don't want fans to say, ‘well, there's two hours of our life we'll never get back.' I want them to have fun, to enjoy being at the rodeo."

And Gizmo finds humor in everyday life. "We're a funny bunch of people. I try to make people laugh at themselves. They can relate to my jokes. There ain't nothing funnier than what happens. You can't make real life up."

Gizmo, a Pro Rodeo Cowboys Association member since 1992, has worked rodeos from coast to coast and border to border. His biggest honor was being selected to entertain at the National Finals Rodeo in 2005.

He credits his wife of 38 years, Janice, and their two daughters with his success. "I wouldn't be what I am today if it wasn't for Janice and my girls. I love my kids, my grandkids. We're a very tight family."

Gizmo will entertain between events during each night of the Phillipsburg rodeo July 30-31-August 1. Performances begin at 8 pm each night. Tickets are $15 for reserved adult seating and $11 for reserved child seating, and general admission tickets are $13 for adults and $10 for children. To purchase tickets, call Heritage Insurance at 785-543-2448. For more information, visit the rodeo's website at KansasBiggestRodeo.com or, on Facebook, search for "ksbiggestrodeo".

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Beloit, KS 67420, USA