Our Journey from Clowns to Mr. and Mrs. Claus

It all began in 2010 at a clown gathering. My spouse, Kolinda, and I met there, both adorned in full clown regalia.

I had been clowning around since 1988, having completed my studies in clown college. This career path led me to exciting performances with Ringling Brothers, Barnum & Bailey, and even with Circus Circus in Las Vegas. Later, I took on the role of a clown for McDonald's in North Carolina.

Kolinda, affectionately known as Kozy, was initially an early childhood educator. Her first encounters with clowning were at her school, where she was cheerfully recruited to play an elf during Christmas and later, a clown. From entertaining at local events to pursuing formal clown training, her passion grew, launching her into her own vibrant clown performance career.

After a year from our initial meeting, Kozy and I embarked on our romantic journey, marrying in 2013.

Merging Our Lives and Clown Collections

As we settled in together, so did our collection of clown accessories. Our residence became home to 17 rubber ducks, 18 dove pans, countless magic tools, exploding gadgets, noses, makeup, and a whopping eight pairs of clown shoes. We embraced the practice of downsizing but still managed to retain 17 bins of essential clown items.

Kozy truly elevated our act, and her leap into the world of stilt walking at the age of 50 is a testament to her unwavering resolve. While initially her role seemed secondary, she soon became an integral star of the performance.

Touring Life After Kids

As soon as our children were fully grown, we embraced the touring lifestyle, spending nearly 40 weeks each year in various shows across the United States and even shows overseas. We became the soul of each performance, living and loving every moment of it.

Our robust bond as a couple comes from more than just time spent together; it’s the common goal we share of bringing joy and laughter to those around us, an ethos deeply rooted in the spirit of clowning.

Transitioning to a New Chapter

The winds of change began during the pandemic's onset in 2020, pushing us to rethink our future. We longed to reconnect closely with audiences, a concept hampered by global restrictions, and realized a change was needed.

Having settled back into routine life, the decision became clear: it was time to establish a permanent home base. The craving for familiar community activities took hold, from neighborhood gatherings to regular dining routines, resembling more 'normal' living.

A new vision emerged: with my lengthy beard, the transformation into Santa, along with Kozy as Mrs. Claus, fit our new lifestyle goals perfectly, altering my clown persona in the process.

This November marked our final show tour with Loomis Brothers Circus. It was a poignant closure, rich with farewells from our cherished colleagues.

We're eagerly anticipating future endeavors, including teaching and modest performances. We're also excited for festivities as the beloved holiday duo, Mr. and Mrs. Claus.

In everyday life, whether at the store or roaming the neighborhood, our clownish nature clings to us, a beacon of joy in ordinary circumstances. Officially retired, the essence of a clown — a heart full of laughter — remains vibrant within us.