The Joey Kelly Circus
 at the Emmett Kelly Festival

Ladies and Gentlemen, Boys and Girls, Children of All Ages, The Joey Kelly Circus was honored to be  a featured performance at the final Emmett Kelly Festival held in May 2008 in Emmett’s childhood hometown of Houston, Missouri.  Joey enjoyed a long run at the annual event entertaining crowds from 1991 through the 21st and final Emmett Kelly Festival.

Ring Mistress Lindy opened the show with her new Comedy Bell Routine, a first time solo performance right in the heart of Houston.  During the previous year’s performance, Lindy got her clown shoes wet as Joey's capable sidekick.  More importantly she impressed those in attendance with her quick wit and charm.  Lindy, as well as Bethany and Nathan, each were a "First of May" first time performer, in 2007

Nathan dazzled the audience with his charm, good looks and a with a new, improved Diabolo routine replete with more difficult and amazing tricks. Nathan showed his versatility by adding Juggling Pins, Balls, Rings and the Rola Bola to his act.  With him handling the skill toys and his sister floating like an angel overhead, The Joey Kelly Circus has grown into a very nice, little family circus that means to please and garner your applause and favor.

Penny, their cute little baby lion, Okay, their Pomeranian trimmed to appear as if a lion also joined the show.  She was seated upon her Lion's Perch or resting in her Lion’s Wagon, in plain view, throughout the entire performance.  Her active participation in shows is on a time permitting basis.

Last, but certainly not least was Joey, Emmett Kelly's grandson, the namesake of the circus.  If you were in attendance, you noticed that Lindy did the talking, not Joey.  That worked wonders for Joey, allowing him to do new and different material.  Having a Ring Mistress and fellow clown as his front person, allows him the opportunity to return to pantomime.  This year, Joey presented "The Bird," an original routine of his that he created in the 1980’s as one of three initial, "signature" routines.

Joey also executed an adaptation of one of his grandfather's routine, "The Spotlight."  For the first time ever, Joey performed one of the greatest clown gags in circus history, one of his grandfather's favorite and original gags, as a tribute to Joey's favorite and beloved clown.  Joey imagined his grandfather smiling at him from within the light shining down from above.

The Joey Kelly Circus came to town with new rigging, new routines and a new appearance for the 21st Annual Emmett Kelly Festival performance.  Centered within the 30 foot ring that formerly belonged to his father's Emmett Kelly Jr. Circus and under their tripod rigging is their new stage.  No more "mud shows" for the Joey Kelly Circus!