Gizmo Comes To Hastings Rodeo clown loves to entertain, bring humor

(June, 2012)  – Gizmo McCracken has several identities.

But no one’s going to throw him in a psychiatric ward for his multiple personalities.

The rodeo clown and barrel man uses his different characters to entertain rodeo crowds, and he’ll do just that when he comes to the Oregon Trail Rodeo in Hastings August 31-September 1-2.

The Wheaton, Mo. man grew up fighting bulls but switched over to clowning when he realized “I could make a lot more money being funny than being scared” as a bullfighter.

The man, always a natural jokester, says, “I was always that kid they sent home from school with a note pinned on his shirt: ‘Don’t send him back till his problems are corrected.’ I just turned it into a career.”

Making people laugh comes naturally to Gizmo, and he loves doing it. His characters range from an ostrich jockey to Mustang Sally to the fat cop and the music man, and his acts are just as varied: an ambulance, shrinking machine, golf act, elephant hunting, and the chicken rocket.

He strives to make sure rodeo fans get their money’s worth. A sticky note on his mirror, where he applies his clown makeup, reminds him before each rodeo: ‘Respect the fan’s time.’ “I don’t want fans to say, ‘well, there’s two hours of our life we’ll never get back.’ I want them to have fun, to enjoy being at the rodeo.”

And Gizmo finds humor in everyday life. “We’re a funny bunch of people. I try to make people laugh at themselves. They can relate to my jokes. There ain’t nothing funnier than what happens. You can’t make real life up.”

Gizmo, a Pro Rodeo Cowboys Association member since 1992, has worked rodeos from coast to coast and border to border. His biggest honor was being selected to entertain at the National Finals Rodeo in 2005.

He credits his wife of 33 years, Janice, and their two daughters with his success. “I wouldn’t be what I am today if it wasn’t for Janice and my girls. I love my kids, my grandkids. We’re a very tight family.”

Gizmo will entertain during all three nights of the Oregon Trail Rodeo in Hastings, August 31-September 1-2. Tickets can be purchased at Orscheln’s in Hastings or through the Adams County Fairgrounds at 402.462.3247. For more information, visit the fairgrounds website at AdamsCountyFairgrounds.com.