Photo by Todd & Brad Reed Photography

The Scottville Clown Band- "The Big Noise from Scottville"

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.”

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Here's the Typical Schedule for the Scottville Clown Band:

March

  • 18th – Irish Festival Parade at the Clare Moose Lodge- 1890 E. Ludington Dr., Clare, 12pm
  • TBA– Bay City St. Patrick’s Day Parade

April

  • 29th – National Trout Festival in Downtown Kalkaska, 2pm

May

  • 18thBlessing of the Bikes Show at Baldwin VFW- 1959 W. 24th St., Baldwin, 7pm
  • 27th – Mackinaw City Memorial Festival Pre-Parade Show at Mackinac Crossings- 248 S. Huron Ave., Mackinaw City, 11am
  • TBA – Memorial Festival Parade in Mackinac City

June

July

  • 2nd – National Forest Festival Beach Show at First Street Beach in Manistee, 1pm
  • 4th –  Forest Festival Parade, 10am
  • 4th – Ludington Area Jaycees Freedom Festival Parade in downtown Ludington, 2pm
  • 4th – American Legion Post #76 Show (members & guests only), 3:30pm
  • 8th – Bear Lake Days in downtown Bear Lake, 6pm
  • 20th – Troutarama Concert in downtown Baldwin, 8pm
  • 22nd – Troutarama Parade in downtown Baldwin, 1pm
  • 23rd – Arcadia Daze Parade in downtown Arcadia, 1:30pm
  • 29th – Wilwin Lodge Veteran’s Show– 3383 E. Hawley Rd., Custer, 1pm

August

  • 1st – Grand Haven American Legion Show– 700 S. Harbor Ave., Grand Haven, 7pm
  • 5th – United States Coast Guard Festival Parade– 113 N. 2nd St., Grand Haven, 11:45am
  • 10th – Pentwater Homecoming Celebration Les Bailey Memorial Concert with Pentwater Civic Band on the Village Green- 327 S. Hancock St., Pentwater, 7pm
  • 12th – Homecoming Parade in downtown Pentwater, 4pm
  • 19th – Bellaire Rubber Ducky Festival, Downtown Bellaire, 3pm
  • 26th – Cedar Polka Fest– Cedar Tennis Courts just off County Road 651, Cedar, 1pm
  • 29th – Fruitport Dancing Into Sunset @ Pomona Park- 93 S. 3rd Ave., Fruitport, 7pm
  • TBA – Onekama Days Parade in downtown Onekama with concert to follow in Village Park- Portage Ave., Onekama
  • TBA – Reed City Great American Crossroads Celebration Parade beginning on West Lincoln Ave.
  • TBAHudsonville Fair– 5235 Park Avenue, Hudsonville

September

  • 16th – Scottville Fall Celebration at Scottville Community Center- 105 Green St., Scottville, 3pm
  • TBA – Manton Harvest Festival Parade, Manton
  • TBA – Danish Brotherhood Show– 1014 S. Madison Ave., Ludington

October

  • 6th – Sons & Daughters, Sons & Daughters Hall- 1057 Hamilton Ave. NW, Grand Rapids, 7pm
  • 7th – Red Flannel Festival Parade, Cedar Springs, 3pm
  • 14th – Frankfort Fall Festival Parade, 11am

Stay tuned for the most updated information on the Scottville Clown Band's 2023 tour schedule!

The History of the Scottville Clown Band

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.

Who are These Guys?

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.

Scholarships

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. 

Experience Scottville

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.

For more information on the Scottville Clown Band’s 2021 Performances, please contact the event organizer:

Scottville Clown Band Board of Directors

chrlewbr@gmail.com

scottvilleclownband.com

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