Shelly Glorioso (34), left, Luna Oberhausen (7), middle, Violet Oberhausen (6), middle right, Violet Harris (11), right, Coleman Glorioso (34), left behind, and Jade Gipson (12), right behind, admire and apply their clown makeup during the April Fools’ Clowning Hour at the Warren County Public Library Bob Kirby Branch in Bowling Green, Ky., on Wednesday, April 1, 2026. (Bradi Hawkins)
Community members embraced their silly side by becoming their own clown personas at the April Fools Clowning Hour.
April Fools Clowning Hour was hosted by the Bob Kirby Branch of the Warren County Public Library from 4 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. on April 1. About 10 people were in attendance for the evening of free face paint, costumes and crafts.
Coleman Glorioso (34) applies clown makeup for his wife, Shelly Glorioso (34), as they celebrate their second wedding anniversary during the April Fools’ Clowning Hour at the Warren County Public Library Bob Kirby Branch in Bowling Green, Kentucky, on Wednesday, April 1, 2026. (Bradi Hawkins)Tobi Preston (26) speaks about clown history and personas during the April Fools’ Clowning Hour at the Warren County Public Library Bob Kirby Branch in Bowling Green, Kentucky, on Wednesday, April 1, 2026. (Bradi Hawkins)
Jensine Robinson and Tobi Preston, both employees at the library, came up and planned the event.
“We thought, what can we do in April?” Robinson said. “April Fool’s Day is coming up, maybe something a little silly, goofy; and we thought clowns would be perfect for that.”
The event started off with a presentation about the history of clowning and how attendees could create their own clown persona. Participants were free to sketch out their own clown persona, dress up, do their own makeup and play with props like balloons and clown noses.
Violet Harris (11) applies sad clown makeup during the April Fools’ Clowning Hour at the Warren County Public Library Bob Kirby Branch in Bowling Green, Kentucky, on Wednesday, April 1, 2026. (Bradi Hawkins)Luna Oberhausen (6) applies clown makeup during the April Fools’ Clowning Hour at the Warren County Public Library Bob Kirby Branch in Bowling Green, Kentucky, on Wednesday, April 1, 2026. (Bradi Hawkins)
Many parents came with their kids to participate in the free event, where kids could make their clown personas and become them. Watonya Gipson, 52, attended with her two kids, Luke Gipson,15, and Jade Gipson,12.
Watonya Gipson said that one of her family members, Nick Wilkins, is a local clown here in Bowling Green.
“We’re doing a clowning class, and clowning has always been close to our hearts because of Nick,” Watonya Gipson said.
Coleman Glorioso (34) applies clown makeup during the April Fools’ Clowning Hour at the Warren County Public Library Bob Kirby Branch in Bowling Green, Kentucky, on Wednesday, April 1, 2026. (Bradi Hawkins)Jensine Robinson (30) blows up a balloon to help decorate the event room for the April Fools’ Clowning Hour at the Warren County Public Library Bob Kirby Branch in Bowling Green, Kentucky, on Wednesday, April 1, 2026. (Bradi Hawkins)Shelly Glorioso (34) attempts to juggle during the April Fools’ Clowning Hour at the Warren County Public Library Bob Kirby Branch in Bowling Green, Kentucky, on Wednesday, April 1, 2026. (Bradi Hawkins)
Jacob Harris, 43, said that while he does “have a bit of a mild clown phobia,” he attended to support his daughter’s interest in clowns.
Patrscie Oberhausen, 34, a single mother who also attended the event with her two daughters, watched as her kids explored clown makeup.
“There’s not a lot of free stuff for kids, and we came down,” Oberhausen said.
Patricia Oberhausen (34) helps her daughter, Luna Oberhausen (7), into a clown outfit during the April Fools’ Clowning Hour at the Warren County Public Library Bob Kirby Branch in Bowling Green, Kentucky, on Wednesday, April 1, 2026. (Bradi Hawkins)
