Clown surprises locals

Skeeter the clown made a surprise visit to Sanders County on Tuesday to spread excitement and joy for the upcoming Culpepper & Merriweather Circus scheduled for Wednesday, June 19, at the high school football field in Thompson Falls. Skeeter made her way down Main Street in Thompson Falls, stopping at local businesses to make balloon animals and tell jokes to anyone and everyone.

Skeeter stopped at the library to browse for any circus-related books, her favorite. She also dropped off 55 free children's circus tickets for everyone signed up for the reading program the library hosts Saturdays at 11 a.m. Skeeter left a few extra tickets for anyone who has not yet signed up for the reading program, as well as a coloring contest page that will be judged the day of the circus for various prizes. The next stop for Skeeter was Black Bear Coffee, where she ordered a mocha with "extra sweetness."

Skeeter got her start as a clown by attending the Ringling Brothers Clown College for an extensive 12.5 weeks. Skeeter had to learn every skill that is performed in the circus, including trapeze, unicycling and even stilt-walking. The students at the clown college also had to learn how to do makeup and outfit design as well as coming up with their own acts to perform. In some years the college received more than 8,000 applicants for 60 available slots.

Skeeter will not be able to make it to the circus on June 19, but she is excited for everyone to meet her friends and have a great time. The tent will be raised at 9:30 a.m., with shows scheduled for 5 and 7 p.m.