But Why Clowns?
Many people know about the Christmas Decorations that cover every inch of our space in November and December. But we also decorate for several other holidays throughout the year. Summertime currently features a patriotic bar, tropical beach vibes in the back room, and clowns in the main room. But why the clowns?
Some of you may remember the Great Circus parade in Milwaukee that began in 1963. It continued annually until 1973 and then rotated between Baraboo, Milwaukee, and Chicago.
In commemoration of the 50th Anniversary of the Baraboo Circus World Museum, the last Milwaukee Parade was held in 2009. The parade always featured the circus wagons and animals from the Museum in Baraboo, and many marching bands from throughout the state. That last anniversary year featured over 50 circus wagons, many holding circus animals like tigers and lions, hundreds of horses, and 30 bands in a 2-hour long route. Even the famous clown, Ernest Borgnine, was involved. You could visit the animals and the wagons on display at Veterans Park for several days before the parade.
When the parade started in 1963, the original 3.4-mile course from the lakefront through Milwaukee's Downtown passed by my dad's first bartending job down Wisconsin Avenue. The bar was named Schneider's, from what I recall, and it was also the place where my dad met my mom in 1960, when she was going to what was then called "Secretary School". As one can imagine, being located right on the parade route made for a very busy day, and it was always one of my dad’s favorites.
After being inspired by his own Christmas Decorating, it only seemed natural that for the summer, he featured clowns. Every summer starting around 1985, clowns decorated the walls and ceilings of Erv's. Back when Erv was around, he used to change out many of the pictures on the wall with large posters commemorating the circus parade and famous clowns of different generations. Many of these posters and even glow-in-the-dark velvet paintings were some of his "treasures" found at the 7-mile fair, where he rummaged every weekend. This was before the indoor 7-mile fair, when it only ran from Memorial Day - Labor Day.
Many of the large clowns that you see hanging in the main dining room were purchased by my parents at a Chicago Trade Show inside the Merchandise Mart. The largest hanging clowns are artist originals imported from Mexico. This was one of my parents' first experiences purchasing large quantities of decorations from a commercial supply house where stores like Stein’s and Milaeger's also shop. If you knew my mom, you would understand why buying one meant buying many. They might have gone a little overboard!