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.
The city of Scottville is a small town located in the heart of Michigan’s Mason County! Read the stories below or go to the Scottville destination page.
The Annual Show of the Western Michigan Old Engine Club is held the first weekend of August at Scottville's Riverside Park.
Scottville, Michigan may be small but they do their events in a big way. This rural community knows how to have fun!
West Shore Community College in Scottville offers classes, the West Shore Ice Arena, and a complete recreation center.
Scottville Riverside Park, along the Pere Marquette River, has over 50 modern sites and is popular for camping and fishing.
Scottville Clown Band Board of Directors
The popular tourist town of Ludington, Michigan will celebrate its 150th birthday (sesquicentennial) in 2023. Many events will be included.
Ludington has many businesses to help you enjoy crafting and appreciate the finished product. Let them help you create your own masterpiece!
Every year, the Mason-Lake Conservation District offers sales for tree seedlings and for native plants. Take advantage of this great service!
The communities along Lake Michigan are blessed with talented actors and musicians that entertain us throughout the year.
Current family-friendly events in West Michigan, great, fun, things to do for kids of all ages! Fun for the whole family!
Communities in Mason, Oceana, and Manistee counties sponsor many Easter events and egg hunts for kids in the spring.
The spring/fall runs of steelhead and salmon, the resident brown trout and “brookies” make the PM River extremely popular for fishing.
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.
Sleeping Bear Sand Dunes has miles of sand trails and hills, where hikers are rewarded at the end with spectacular views of Lake Michigan.
West Michigan is home to numerous artists with so many different talents. Groovy music, vivid paintings, gorgeous photography, and more!
Take a tour on the Historic S.S. City of Milwaukee car ferry and the U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Acacia docked in Manistee, Michigan.
Get some fresh air and exercise during those cold winter months when you hit the Pentwater Pathway for cross country skiing and snowshoeing.
Ludington has many businesses to help you enjoy crafting and appreciate the finished product. Let them help you create your own masterpiece!
The Grand Traverse Lighthouse is situated at the end of the Leelanau Peninsula within, about eight miles north of the town of Northport.
West Michigan boasts numerous museums to learn about the area’s rich history and to expand knowledge through activities and exhibits.
