Llewellyn and Ken “Dizzy the Clown” Gillespie, a well-known clown in Minot and the area, will travel to Boston, where Llewellyn will be installed as World Clown Association vice president on Friday, March 6, during the organization’s convention.

“I was one of the original Kiddyland Clowns that Dizzy pulled together in 1981. I have been a big fan of my mentor, employer and teacher for years,” Llewellyn said. Gillespie organized the Kiddyland Clowns group. Kiddyland was located in Roosevelt Park in Minot.

According to Llewellyn, his acquaintance with Gillespie was the beginning of a lifetime of learning, and their friendship is one of his most treasured friendships. He said Gillespie took him on and introduced him to many opportunities, including the formation of the World Clown Association at that time. Gillespie also introduced him to other clowns.

Gillespie was president of the World Clown Association from 1988-89.

Submitted Photo Ralph "Clumsy" Llewellyn, a native of Minot, will become the vice president of the World Clown Association.

Clumsy, the clown that Llewellyn portrays, was created in the summer of 1980 at a Clowns for Christ event.

“My name was given to me by Vicki Adams, high school classmate and fellow youth group member, as a reference to my early attempts as the only one in the group that would juggle,” he said.

Llewellyn graduated from Minot High School in 1982. Shortly after college, he left Minot. For almost 29 years he has been at Eide Bailly in Fargo as a partner in Rural Healthcare Practice. He will be retiring at the end of April.

He left active clowning for a time while pursuing his career and then returned to clowning, including serving as the World Clown Association’s northwest regional director. Events he has taken part in include the North Dakota State Fair Clown Competition and the North Dakota State Parade, both in Minot.