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By Kent Larsen
Walnut Creek Expells 'Flasher the Clown' from Parade
WALNUT CREEK, CALIFORNIA -- A self-described devout Mormon has been expelled
from Walnut Creek's annual Walnut Festival Parade after townspeople
complained that his 28-year-old act is offensive. Bob Manion has appeared in
the parade, and several others, as "Flasher the Clown" since 1973. In his
act he opens his coat to reveal a small terrier sticking out of the top of
his pants.
"There's nothing perverse going on," says Manion, who is confused by the
sudden change. "I'm not being rude, crude or insensitive. I'm just a clown
trying to bring laughter to children and the aged." But parade organizers
said they were contacted many times by paradegoers and that several even
called police after seeing his act.
"The dog was down in his crotch area," said Walnut Creek police Lt. Craig
Zamolo. "He was like a flasher and the dog would pop out. People felt it was
inappropriate, that it perhaps sent the wrong message to the kids." Parade
chairman Robert Menary says Manion is just a victim of changing times, "It's
just amazing what this guy does. It was probably OK in the early days, when
he did it 28 years ago. But to even be called Flasher the Clown today is too
much."
But others think that the Festival has gone too far. "It just sounds a
little bit hypersensitive to me," said Clayton City Councilwoman Julie
Pierce, who for years has watched Manion perform in her hometown's Fourth of
July parade. "We've never heard any response other than giggles." And San
Francisco's parade director, Renie Champaign, says she will still let Manion
appear there, "I don't know why those people in Walnut Creek are up on their
high horses. They've got some kooky people running that parade. It's not
like he's showing his genitals."
Source:
Flasher the Clown exiled from parade
Walnut Creek CA Contra Costa Times 22Jan01 P2
By Matt Sebastian: Times Staff Writer
Bob Manion's act -- throwing open his coat to reveal a small dog in his pants -- was criticized by some at the Walnut Festival
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