Weary Willie Day

Weary Willie Day is celebrated on December 9th in the United States. It’s a special day to celebrate the birth of the clown that initially did not find recognition among people.

History

Sad Willie was created by circus performer Emmett Kelly, after he encountered vagabonds. His clown had an extremely sad look – his inverted smile would pump out an air of sadness. This image initially met with resistance from circuses who refused to show him as he didn’t meet the conventional standards. However, during the Great Depression, the image of Willie personified the face of an entire nation, appearing in shabby clothes, unshaven and terribly sad. People recognized him and made him a real icon. Kelly passed away, but his hero continued to live and bring joy with his unique character. His son continued the legacy, playing the clown until his death.

Interesting facts

• The word “clown” in America appeared in 1560, and was interpreted as “rude”.
• In 2016, the US dedicated a year to clown fear – there was a surge of clowns throughout this time.
• Joseph Grimaldi is considered the very first and most popular clown.
• Traditional coloring allows clowns to more clearly designate facial expressions.
• Pennywise is the scariest character in many polls.
• According to some studies, one in three people surveyed suffer from coulrophobia.

How to take part

If you’d like to join in on the celebration, there are plenty of ways to do so. Go to a circus performance and watch the clown at work – observe how he moves, how he causes laughter, and what emotions he experiences. Show appreciation at the end of the show by giving the clown flowers or a delicious gift. You can also watch movies related to the holiday’s theme.

When is Weary Willie Day celebrated in 2023?

Weary Willie Day is observed on December 9 each year.

Observations