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This is Fred Ball for Zions Bank, speaking on business.
For the Butte family of Bountiful, clowning around is a family affair.
All six members of the family are involved in professional clowning through their business, Sammy T and Sunshine. Sometimes the family attends events and performs together, but every family member has his or her own specialty.
Twenty-seven years ago Tom Butte saw an advertisement for a workshop on learning how to be a clown. He thought it sounded fun, so he attended. A second lecture was held a few weeks later, and the participants were told they would put their newly-learned clowning skills to work in the Salt Lake Children's parade that Saturday. Shortly afterward, Tom participated in the Bountiful Handcart Days and Days of Ô47 parades, which launched his official clowning career.
Once the clowning bug bit him, Tom discovered it was contagious and passed his enthusiasm along to his wife and four children. His wife and oldest daughter specialize in face painting. Tom's second daughter and son both like making balloon animals. Little children tend to be drawn to Tom's youngest daughter, who also likes face painting. The business is being passed into the third generation now, and Tom's 5-year-old granddaughter is already into clowning.
One of the highlights of Tom's clowning experience thus far was performing for the Olympics. He enjoyed meeting people from all over the world. He did balloons, and his son, who is in a juggling troupe, was part of the Olympic Ring Toss Team which performed at different venues every night.
What really makes clowning worthwhile, Tom says, is the smile on children's faces. He says there's nothing like seeing children's eyes light up as they watch the magic tricks. Tom says all the members of the family care about what they do and love children, which is essential to be a good clown.
For Zions Bank, I'm Fred Ball. I'm speaking on business.
