Send in the Clowns Back to the Boardwalk

Red noses, floppy shoes and baggy pants are returning to the Jersey shore.

An annual clown convention, known as Clownfest, will come back to the Seaside Heights boardwalk in September 2014 after organizers moved it to Lancaster, Pa., this year.

The Asbury Park Press reports organizer Vincent "Vappo the Clown" Pagliano announced on Wednesday it's time to bring back the 23-year tradition because Seaside has a new boardwalk after Superstorm Sandy.

“That’s why we’ll be back next year. New boards, old clowns,” Pagliano told the paper.

Earlier this year, Pagliano said he was moving the event to Pennsylvania because he didn't feel he was getting cooperation from Seaside. He now says he believes he'll work things out with town officials.

Seaside Mayor Bill Akers says Clownfest usually draws between 15,000 and 20,000 visitors to the town.

This year however those thousands will be headed to the Lancaster Host Resort & Conference Center Aug. 22 to 24.

Clownfest features clown training classes, clown suppliers and balloon-making, make-up and costume contests, according to the event website.

Copyright AP - Associated Press
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