A Day in the Life of… Crossroad the Clown

‘A Day in the Life of…” is our recurring column wherein we ask local, everyday people with unique jobs what it’s like to be them. 

This week, we asked Frank Towner, who has been entertaining Tompkins County’s children and adults alike since the 1970s as Crossroad the Clown, what it’s like to spend a day in a pair of his clown shoes. 

How did you first come up with the concept of Crossroad the Clown? 

I was a senior in high school and a member of the art and layout staff of the year book. We were in a meeting and discussing ways to advertise the yearbook. I had been called a clown before and suggested that we have a clown named Crossroad (the yearbook name is Crossroads), and he could go from homeroom to homeroom and school events to publicize the yearbook. The group of staff members said yes, another member had makeup, I had a costume, and BINGO – Crossroad the clown was born in 1976.

How would you describe your average day on the job?
Performing as Crossroad is through the eyes of a 7-year-old interacting with folks of all ages, backgrounds and lifestyles.

My motto and life mission is “to spread joy and laughter.” Professionally I am making every effort to entertain and create relationships with the audience through the skill of human interaction, juggling, balloon twisting and face painting. Gigs are one to eight hours long, and I incorporate these skills within the time as best I can. A lot of the average gig is the audience and how they respond. Overall. I enjoy clowning and my interactions and come away feeling good about the time with folks, and sometimes I get paid for it. There is always someone that stands out during a gig. Just last night I had great interaction with a young lady named Kylee. She is 17 and was watching me intently … So I made balloon animals for her and then got her to stand up and learn to juggle. She was a very confident person, and she had fun engaging with me, and then the people we were performing for.

Sometimes I am exhausted after a gig but very fulfilled!

What do you like about entertaining and interacting with kids? 

It is the playful interaction with people of all ages. I try to find a common energy, and we play off one another for fun! [I enjoy] walking away from a gig being filled with joy and hopefully filling them with joy, too.

What were you like as a kid, and were you always looking to make people laugh?

I was diverse, meaning I had many different types of friends. Also I was an only child . This means I was with my parents a lot and with other adults. I learned how to carry myself and interact with folks. My mom encouraged experience and adventure, and my dad was strict but fair. My diverse group of relationships would sometimes get me into trouble, trying to mix folks, but overall it was very good. I was selected as class speaker of my high school… not for grades as a valedictorian but as a well-known person chosen by ballot. Overall I connected and had fun.

What is the hardest part of your job as Crossroad?

Two things stand out. 

1. Putting grease paint on is like labor pains… you know you have to go through it to get your results. When it is 90 degrees and 90% humidity, and you are putting grease paint on… something is wrong with you! But it’s got to be done.

2. Is getting to the gig. Being on time, anticipating the crowd or audience, hoping and planning to bring the right props, balloons , face paint, juggling equipment. Am I physically and mentally well. I want to be the best and nothing usually prevents me from getting into makeup and getting to the gig. My family and friends know when it’s time to DO IT… I am all focused on the makeup and the travel!

Now, once I am there, all of these things float away and Crossroad is 7 years old having fun.

What is your favorite thing about being Crossroad the Clown?

It is the interaction with the audience, the humans that are interacting with me. What’s a clown without an audience? I have driven miles to perform with one or two children… and gone down the road to entertain hundreds.

Have I entertained and brought joy to the folks I interacted with today? That’s the favorite feeling I want to come away with. Have I brightened their day, has the interaction been therapeutic, will we meet again? I love seeing the same people year after year or at several events. Some folks have clowned with me for over 45 years. Kids have grown up, and I now clown for their kids. [It’s] very rewarding and one of my favorite things.