The Clown Chronicles: February ‘26
What Happened in January
On Monday, January 19th, the DFW Clowns "R" Us gathered for our 3rd Annual Awards Banquet, and what a celebration it was! The festivities took place at On The Border Restaurant in Irving, Texas, where we leaned fully into a colorful fiesta theme. Mexican blanket table runners brightened the room, candy treats sweetened the tables, and Tricia wowed us with her adorable balloon decorations that tied it all together perfectly. With about 28 clowns in attendance, the room buzzed with laughter, hugs, and stories as everyone caught up on holiday events right up until the moment the Fajita Feast arrived! Served family-style, the sizzling spread had everyone digging in and filling their bellies before the evening's main event: The Awards.
DFW Clowns “R” Us alley members gather for a picture at the end of the banquet.
Ace and Boopsie with the Clown of the Year Award
And the Winners Are
Best First of May – Bonita Riley
Board of Directors Award – Debbie Davis
Most Improved Joey – Willie Thomas
Hubba Hubba Award (Duo Performance) – Willie Thomas & William Beaty
Nick Bradley Creative Arts Award – Bonita Riley
Rudy Rosales received a brand-new, specially designed take-home award for being the 2024 Al Armstrong Clown of the Year. And now for the big moment... drum roll please!
The 2025 Al Armstrong Clown of the Year Award went to Ace!
Congratulations to all of our well-deserved 2025 winners. We can't wait to see who shines in 2026 and takes home the coveted trophies next year!
The 2026 board of directors for DFW Clowns R Us.
2026 Board of Directors
President: Tricia Gregory
Vice President: William Beaty
Secretary: Ace
Treasurer: Debbie Davis
Sergeant at Arms: Willie Thomas
Past President: Cinde Sanders
Board Members
Margaret Clauder
Bonita Riley
Martha Warren
Maricela Carelock performs her lovely puppet show at the end of the banquet.
After the awards and installation of our new officers, the night ended on a high note with an amazing performance by Maricela Carelock. Maricela has traveled the globe sharing uplifting songs, ventriloquism, and joyful puppets, and she brought that magic straight to us! Performing in both English and Spanish, she filled the room with messages of joy, friendship, respect, and excellence. The event wrapped up around 9:00 pm, and everyone headed home with full hearts, big smiles, and wonderful memories. What a fantastic way to celebrate our clowns and kick off another exciting year!
Clowns on a Mission!
Willie “Deluxo” Thomas is prepared for a mission trip in Guatemala!
Big news! Our own Willie “Deluxo” Thomas is joining Clowns on a Mission this February and taking the “Deluxo Shuffle” all the way to Guatemala! He will be bringing smiles, laughter, and lots of clown magic to children there, while soaking up new experiences and sharing his amazing talents and love with everyone he meets.
February Program
We are excited to welcome Tony Winiecki to our Alley meeting on Monday, February 9th! Tony will wow us with a spectacular juggling performance and then share his talents and knowledge by giving everyone a chance to learn the art of juggling firsthand. Get ready to be amazed and maybe even juggle a little yourself!
Clowns “R” Us will be Hosting the 2026 TCA Convention
August 12-16—Westin DFW Airport Hotel, Irving, Texas
GET INVOLVED—Let's plan an epic event together
Next Planning Meeting
Monday, February 9th - 5:00-6:30pm Before the alley meeting at the Georgia Farrow Rec Center
A Few JOLLY Words from Our President
DFW CRU President Tricia “Jolly” Gregory
2026 started with a Big Bang for our Clowns “R” Us alley. What fun we all had at our awards dinner, and what a great ventriloquist puppet show by Maricela Carelock! We have a new team of officers and we are all looking forward to what our Alley will be doing and learning this year!
Being a part of Mid-Cities Clown Alley #85 and now Clowns “R” Us, for over 32 years, I have always had open arms to being an officer if voted on, or needed. This year is the first year I said Yes to accepting the offer of being the President of our Alley. This is a new door that has opened, so I’m stepping in, and ready to learn what it takes to accomplish this title.
Bear with me, because I may stand up and say some words that don’t make any sense at times! – lol It’s great being a clown; one can make a mistake, look around, and just honk their nose. It’s good when one can laugh at themselves at times, and we all should! Just like my dad always said, “Just Grin & bare it!”
I think it would be good for us all, to set a goal for ourselves and achieve more for our Alley this year. It starts off with setting goals, working together, helping one another, doing fun things together and being a part of the clown team! – Clowns “R” Us!
— President Tricia “Jolly” / “Hanky” Gregory
DUES ARE DUE
We will be putting together a roster on March 15th, so get your dues paid and in good standing with the alley so you can be included on the roster. The cost is $15 for a single clown and $25 for a family. Please bring cash or check to the meeting or pay with Zelle (dfwclownsrus@gmail.com).
More Pics from Our Banquet
