Photo by Todd & Brad Reed Photography
When you see the Scottville Clown Band, you’re amused by their colorful attire and crazy antics. When you hear them play, you’re amazed at their extraordinary talent. They’ve been entertaining crowds in Michigan for over 100 years, with no sign of slowing down. Perhaps their best performances are during the summer parades, with “The Stripper” being the favorite number. The horns, cymbals, and drums give the Clown Band their other name, “The Big Noise from Scottville.”
In 1903, a musical group of Scottville merchants dressed up as hillbillies and began entertaining at local carnivals. Their popularity grew until World War II called its members away and the group disbanded. In 1947, a local businessman, Ray Schulte, resurrected the group, and to this day, the Scottville Clown Band continues to bring smiles to countless faces. The city of Scottville is located ten miles east of Ludington, with about 1,200 residents. This small town has certainly been put on the map through the notoriety of the Scottville Clown Band.
Clown Band members come from all over Michigan and over 14 other states, including Florida, New York, Tennessee and California.
They represent all walks of life, from police officers and farmers to doctors, bankers, and disc jockeys.
The members are represented by a board of directors, a group of people that make decisions on band operations and policies.
Their charitable contributions include funding and maintaining both the Scottville Clown Band Shell and the Museum of Music at Historic White Pine Village.
One of the primary goals of the Scottville Clown Band is to provide scholarships for students accepted to summer programs for any of the performing arts, including vocal music, theater, or instrumental music. Each year money is given out to over 30 students, helping them with costs to places like Blue Lake Fine Arts Camp and Interlochen. The scholarship recipients are invited to play with the Scottville Clown Band in early summer at a concert performed at Waterfront Park in Ludington.
Scottville Clown Band Board of Directors
Planning a visit to the Scottville area? Have questions about your trip? Here’s where you can find help:
Visit the Old Mission Peninsula, situated between the west arm and east arm of Grand Traverse Bay.
Along the Lake Michigan shoreline between Ludington and Manistee, you’ll find natural splendor- the Nordhouse Dunes Wilderness area.
Dune Rides in your ATV or ORV are popular at Silver Lake Sand Dunes in Michigan, but many rules and regulations apply.
Various farm markets around Traverse City offer a bounty of the best-tasting produce around, with many open from May until early fall.
Standing tall and proud along the shores of Lake Michigan, Point Betsie marks the southern entrance to the Manitou Passage.
The historical Vogue Theatre in Manistee, renovated as a modern-day movie theater, shows current movies, classic films, and family movies.