Houston, MO. – The annual Emmett Kelly Festival in Houston, MO is taking place this year on April 26th and April 27th.
Starting the festival on April 26th at 6 p.m. is a Kindergarten Circus at Hiett Gymnasium, the 26th year where the children perform a circus in costume and sing specials. Then at 7 p.m., there will be a showing of the movie “Clown” and a Variety Show, both located at the Melba Theater in Downtown Houston. The cost to attend the Variety Show is $8 per person.
On April 27th there will be 7 different events. At 9 a.m. the Emmett Kelly 5K Run/Walk and Fun Run For Kids will take place and you can register online at houstonmo.org. There is a $100 cash prize for the first man and women runners and a $50 gift card to the best-dressed clown in the race. Also at 9 a.m. is a Car Show, sponsored by the Houston High School Welding Department, and the acts will be lined up along Grand and Main with the awards presented at 12:30. At 9:45 a.m. Emmet Kelly’s daughter, Stasia Kelly “Sparkie”, will award the winners from the 5K and the Art Student Winners. At 10 a.m. the festival starts. There will be music by Kirk Pierce, Houston High School Jazz band, Ben Bergmark Jazz Musician, and The Stars Foundation performers. There will also be vendors, food, and a parade. The parade will start at 11 a.m. and will be clown themed, anyone is allowed to join as long as they dress up. At 3 p.m. there is a painted mural presentation with Stasia Kelly and other professional clowns. To wrap up the day there will be a showing of ” Circus” at the Melba Theater.
Learn more by visiting, houstonmo.org/festival, and houstonmo.org/walk-run.
