Art
In August 1983, Willard Phillips and Carl Fleischhauer documented a county fair clown competition in West Virginia. The event captures an American tradition: the informal contest, where neighbors gathered to judge skill, creativity, and performance in ordinary entertainment.
Art · Full story
You're standing in the dust and heat of the fairground, surrounded by the smell of corn dogs and funnel cakes. A clown waddles past in oversized shoes, honking a horn. Around you, families point and laugh while judges lean in, serious-faced, jotting notes on clipboards. Who deserves the prize?
Reflect
What local contests or competitions have you watched or entered in your own community?