Profile of Jim Kilgour, Proud Member of the Clown Alley of London

One of the various things you think about when someone says Shriner, is their work as clowns with children. Jim's belonging to the Shriners was the inroads for the 1992 birth of an Auguste clown named Wings. This name was derived from Jim's work in the business of transportation: airlines, buses, ferries. Jim had the help of a Shriner friend to get him started and he advanced his clowning art with clown conferences and a clown school with instructors from the University of Wisconsin. Jim's favourite funny person is a fellow Shriner, Red Skelton.

Initially, Wings was involved in parades and corporate parties as a Shriner clown. However, upon retiring and moving from North Bay to London, Jim has been expanding his areas of clowning. He has clowned at birthday parties, charity events, Christmas gigs, and parades. He is interested in becoming involved in care clowning as well. Balloons, magic and walkabout pocket magic are a few of the things that he uses to entertain. Wings has help from his copilot, a monkey puppet named Cojo who wears a little pilot's helmet. The duo have not yet found a suitable stewardess for their flights. His wife Rose Marie is supportive of his "clowning around". Jim has two grown sons and a total of 4 grandchildren. His 8 year old grandson David is an aspiring clown, Feathers, who also helps out at some of Wings' gigs.

Clowning has brought different experiences into Jim's life. He has traveled to various places in the United States with his fellow Joey Shriners, been in the Shriners' burn hospital in Texas, in Shrine parades and ceremonials. The longest parade he was involved in was one in Indianapolis which was over 3½ hours long! Seeing the expressions on kids faces and hearing the kids calling out to you from the parade line is the biggest thrill for Jim.

One of his most rewarding experience was his first birthday party gig. This was for a friend's small grandchild who became Wing's number one fan! His worst experience was forgetting his clown makeup one time and resorting to use face paints as makeup. This was a disaster!

Jim first heard about the Clown Alley of London from Big Moe's World of Clowns. He was there buying some things to take back to the clowns in North Bay. When it was learned that Jim was retiring and moving to London, they encouraged him to visit the Alley. He went to a meeting and became a very active member. He was the banker clown (treasurer) for over a year's term. He is one of the members who helps promote the alley in various ways: presentations during "International Clown Week", teaching at the weekend clown classes, opening his home for our annual summer picnic, updating and distributing the list of members, and dispersing the roster for various presentations at our monthly meetings. His desire is continued growth for the Alley. He envisions a London parade where there are 50 clowns marching behind a banner saying "Clown Alley of London".

His advice to new clowns is not to worry about getting a perfect face right away. He says that will change many times until you finally get the face you want. Also, practice putting on your face well before going into the public. Oh, one last piece of advice: choose to be the perfect clown - an Auguste clown! Jim says that comment always gets the whiteface clowns going. But he would do well to remember that despite the Auguste trying to play a joke, the whiteface always gets the last laugh!

Interviewed and submitted by Judy Carscadden.