This is too fun on too many levels: Deadwood will host the 2009 Rodeo Clown Reunion during the Days of ‘76 Rodeo, July 23 to 25.

Just picture it: 40 or more rodeo funnymen, all in one place, performing, acting up, acting out, signing autographs and talking to rodeo fans.

The Days of ‘76 Rodeo is a perfect venue for this type of reunion. The Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association has named it the to top mid-sized rodeo in the country a number of times, including 2008.

“These ‘over the hill’ laugh-getters have been entertaining rodeo audiences and saving cowboy’s lives since the early days of rodeo. Back in the ‘good old days’, as they often remember, they were expected to do it all – get the laughs and save the riders, too,” according to a recent post in Rodeo Attitude News.

There will be four performances, including two on the 25th of July. The rodeo clowns will also participate in two parades down the main street of Deadwood on Friday, July 24, at 1:30 p.m. and Saturday, July 25, at 10 a.m.

The reunion proimises to be a funny, visual and colorful gathering.I wouldn’t miss it for the world. A few years ago, I remember the Shriners convention in Rapid City. It included a parade. No bands, no floats, just scores of clown cars, minibikes, synchronized Miatas and clowns, clowns, clowns. It was by far the best parade I’ve ever seen.

Contact number for Days of ‘76 Rodeo tickets is 888-838-2855. For information about the Rodeo Clown Reunion contact Gail Woerner, chairman, at 512-266-1001 or e-mail: rodeogal@airmail.net.