Red on the Green
Sunday, June 11, 2006
Family Fun and Children's Activities: While planned as an outside event, the threat of rain moved activities into Vincennes University's new 70,000 square foot student recreation center. However, a few gray clouds did not dampen spirits as children and adults alike visited with clowns, took part in arts and crafts, and clown games. Squeals of delight echoed from the inflatables as the smell of hamburgers and funnel cakes waifed through the air.
One highlight of the afternoon was "By George and Everybody Else" by the Hastey Pudding Puppet Company. This left-handed salute to American history would give Martha Washington a migraine. During their anachronistic tour de farce back through time, Thurston Osgood, host of the interview program, "Meet the Patriots," brought the audience face to face with the people who made America what it is today and gave spectators a chance to get even with them for it. Ben Franklin flies his kite on stage, George Washington sports his famous wooden smile, and Betsy Ross puts the first flag together before the wondering eyes of the audience. (It's a wonder she ever got it right.)
Remembering Red at 3:00 pm
The final event was the perfect end to a weekend dedicated to Red Skelton.
Tom Mullica
took the stage in "Remembering Red." An unforgettable combination
of physical comedy and jokes, Mullica reminded us all of why Red was America's
most beloved clown.
After the program, Mullica generously spent time with audience members
signing autographs and reminiscing.