Serious about clowning Published March 16, 2010 By Laurie Arellano Chief, Minot Air Force Base Public Affairs MINOT AIR FORCE BASE, N.D. -- Not many people on Minot AFB know him by his real name, and for Ken Gillespie, that's exactly how he wants it, even though he recently won an international honor for his profession. "Dizzy the Clown," as he is known to the many children and parents on the installation, is an icon at 5th Force Support Squadron services facilities, making regular appearances at Sunday brunch and family nights, and his clowning is anything but recreational. Mr. Gillespie was recently awarded the International Shriner's Clown Association clown of the year for his tireless work making appearances, fundraising for Shriner's hospitals and positively representing the clowning profession. "This is the best thing that has ever happened to me," Mr. Gillespie said. Mr. Gillespie said he became involved with the Shriner's in 1974 primarily because he wanted to follow in his father's footsteps and because he wanted to help kids. And, he said, clowning as a way to serve made sense. "In school, I was always a cut-up," he said. "Then, when another Shriner was telling me about the work the clowns do and what was involved in being a clown, I thought, that's what I want to be." Mr. Gillespie said he is a very competitive person, and when he found out there were clown competitions, that excited him. He started winning awards in 1976. His award this year means he was selected as the best of over 5,000 Shriner's clowns. Mr. Gillespie said most of his work is with the Shriner's Circus which raises money for the local Shriners every year. As the circus director and as the local hospital chairman, he ensures kids needing treatment for burns and for bone and muscular problems have access to care. "The Shriner's hospitals are completely free," he said. "The local Shriners provide the funds for the parent and child's transportation to the hospital, for the parent's lodging and meals, and for the child's long-term treatment." Dizzy has been making kids at Minot AFB happy since 1980, but he's been associated with the base since 1957 when there was only a flightline and a couple of buildings on the installation. The son of the first Fire Chief, he is now an honorary Fire Chief with the 5th Civil Engineer Squadron. He has also seen several children of active duty members receive treatment at the Shriner's hospital. For families on base, his balloon animals are a regular part of their dining experiences. "He's like family to us," said Cindy Bauer, who has been coming to Sunday brunch for four years. Her kids said he is the highlight of their weekend. "We really like the food, but sometimes we come here just for Dizzy," said Trinity Bauer, 8. "He's really nice." As for the Auguste' clown with a perpetual smile, he said he's not done working for the children and he's not done competing. "My next goal is to compete for the title of Clown Extraordinaire." The Shriner's Circus will be in town April 26, 27 and 28 at the Minot Municipal Auditorium. Tickets are available at Outdoor Recreation and may be reached at 723-3648.