Ingham County Fair will have three different category levels for the contestant to choose from in clown costume and make up; First Year Clowns, Second Year Clowns and Third Year and Up Clowns. 4-H members are to choose the category that fits their individual experience and have participated in at least one community service during the previous year in order to enter any one of these divisions. There will be three different kinds of clowns considered in the area of 4-H clown costume and make up. the white face, august and tramp/hobo.

There are few clearly defined, measurable standards in clowning; much depends on individual taste. Therefore, in order to judge, it is necessary to set some guidelines for the judges to follow. Judges should keep in mind the age of the child and their level of experience when evaluating each individual.

1. Make- up must cover all exposed parts of the head/neck in White Face and Auguste categories. It should be well applied, patted, powdered, and dry. The design should be clean and clear.

1. All clowns must wear gloves EXCEPT Tramp/Hobo. See details as to individual categories below as to guidelines to be met.

2. All clowns must wear a waterproof name tag.

The three main categories of Clowns we will consider are White Face, Auguste and Tramp/Hobo; here are some of their similarities and differences.

A. The WHITE FACE is the typical circus clown. There are two quite different types of White Face Clowns; the Classic or European white face and the Comedy white face. The Classic white face clown (sometimes referred to as the Pierrot) is the most "traditional" and artistic of all the clowns and is usually the clown in charge. The clown is elegant, gentle, colorful, bright and cheery. The make-up is all white, with minimum lining colors (usually of black or red) and/or glitter to express the regular features (eyebrows, nose, and mouth). All exposed skin, including the neck and ears, must be white. The head is covered by a white skull cap with no hair and has a hat that fits the clown personality/character. Considered the most beautiful clown, the costume is well fitting, fully gathered ruffled type suit or one piece jumpsuit, both with a ruffat the neck. It may be quite elaborate and very elegant. Shoes are generally small and simple.

The Comedy white face clown (also referred ast he Grotesque clown) is a bit less artistic and a little more like the Auguste in spirit, but still a White Face Clown. All exposed skin, including neck and ears, must be white. The coloring and design of the facial features is what differentiates it from the classic design. The classic design is purposely kept simple; the comedy white face can use large features around the eyes, use large false eyelashes, a larger mouth, a clown nose and may have other designs on the face. Some of these features may be outlined in black. Glitter and sparkles are also used frequently. Varying styles and colors of clown wigs are used in lieu of a skull cap. The color of the wig is generally chosen to accent another color in the costume. The costume may be well fitting or it may be too small. The traditional jumpsuit may be worn but this clown is equally acceptable in suit or shirt and pants. It may be elegant with metallic, glittering fabric or it may be comical with bright colors. The shoes should be outlandish but the colors should compliment the costume.

B. The AUGUSTE CLOWN is the most comical of all clowns; it is the prankster, the rabble-rouser. He/she is the most slapstick of all the clowns; his/her actions are wilder, broader and more clumsy and ackward than the other types. The AUGUSTE Clown gets away with more and bigger pranks. When appearing with a white face, he/she is the brunt of the joke; but with the tramp he/she becomes the instigator in control of the situation. His/hers is the most comic face. The make-up is a flesh color (pink or reddish or tan) instead of white. The features (usually red and black) are exaggerated in size. Depending upon the size and shape of the clown's face and the character, the smile could be as small as a tight-lipped grin to the proverbial ear to ear smile. The mouth is usually thickly outlined with white, which is often also used around the eyes. A red shadowing around the muzzle area should be used to highlight this area. Outlining is very important. Gradual shading of colors is often used. He/she will usually have a ball nose, but there are many exceptions. Glitter and sequins in the make-up are not appropriate. The Auguste will almost always wear a wig and BIG shoes.

C. The TRAMP or HOBO CLOWN is the only true North American clown. This character grew out of the tramps/hobos who rode the freight trains across the country looking for work. The main differences between these two clowns is their attitude and costumes.

The TRAMP believes the world owes him a living; that his condition is caused by others. He wants (and expects) everybody to feel sorry of him. He does everything in his power to avoid work. This shabby vagabond is the individual for whom nothing ever goes right. The face and neck are colored to make them appear dirty and unshaven. Red is added above the beard line to make the face appear sunburned, and the mouth and eyes are white where the tramp has wiped away the dirt with his hands. The eyebrows should be small and worried looking; his expression is usually SAD and/or SOULFUL. Many times tramps use their own hair which has been ratted up to look shaggy. If a wig is used, it should be one of the darker, duller shades.

He is ragged but clean. His costume is usually a two or three piece suit which is extremely worn and ragged. The rips and tears may be left open, patched or pinned together with large safety pins. The color is usually black or other dark color. A clothes pin, mousetrap, or other article may be used as a tie clasp. A rope might be used for a belt or suspenders.

The HOBO CLOWN is a vagabond or happy tramp. He often appears to be happy and will ask for a 'handout'; preferring to work for it. He will take a job but usually not for long because he wants to move along to someplace else. His face is much like the tramp's make-up except in the expression. He is apt to smile, and his eyes generally appear larger, more wide awake, open, and happy looking than the tramp's eyes. His costume is quite similar to the tramp's, his vest and patches may be of bright colors. His shoes are the same as the tramp's.

The TRAMP/HOBO category is the ONLY category in which the use of any kind of gloves with holes, gloves with fingers cut off, or the complete absence of gloves is permitted. However, if gloves are used, they should be clean but appear dirty, stained. and worn.

The choice of the "BEST OF SHOW RIBBON" will depend on the judges decision as to how one clowns total performance was outstanding over the others in a particular year. All other ribbons (A,B,C) are given to contestants based on each individuals performance; first, second and third places will not be given.