Hundreds of clowns have been thronging the streets of Mexico City to participate in the annual International Clown Convention (17-20 October) that was concluded yesterday.
Around 450 clowns from 14 nations attended the event that is in its 21st year. The convention is focused on maintaining the high standards of clowning and through workshops and seminars enable clowns to stock up on the latest and best costumes, show off their talents and learn new skills to take home to fans. Participants also took part in parades, performing juggling, riding on unicycles and giving away balloons to the delight of curious onlookers.
Chanting "we are clowns, we are not murderers", this year clowns also made aimed to correct their perceived image. These were in response to reports in the recent months of menacing individuals dressed as "creepy" or "killer" clowns who have been spotted roaming around US cities at night.
The killer clown trend is considered to have begun in late August around Greenville, South Carolina and spread to other states. Areas in Mexico such as Mexicali, Puelbla and Queretaro have also seen the killer clown trend.
"There is more good than evil. Clowns show we are good people and we do our work in the best possible way. This (convention) shows we are preparing ourselves to provide, not scares or fear, to people but cheerfulness and fun," a clown named Hoi Hoi was quoted saying to Reuters.
Residents say that those responsible for the acts would pay for it. "Most of us really like clowns. I'm a fan. It hurts when they do this to them because there are people who use that costume to work properly and produce smiles with great pleasure. Clowns work very well and they know they do their work properly. Maybe those people trying to hurt them, sooner or later, they will pay for it," Juan Fernadnez said.
Here are pictures of them clowning around:
