Broomfield Optimist Clown Contest

14 years old.
I told my Mom and Dad that I was going to dress up as a clown
and win a bike.

I am sure they thought I was a little old, but being the supportive parents they are,
agreed to take me to the contest.

I don't recall how I heard or new about winning a bike.
My parents never dressed me up as a child and took me
to the 8am contest in Midway Park for Broomfield Days.

But at 14, I was going to enter. So I dressed up and I looked good
REAL GOOD!

I was sure to win.
I was A Lot taller then the mostly 6-10 year old clowns that stood around me. But my eye was on the prize. A new bike and I would fit on it. Who cares that I was 4-8 years senior then the rest of the contestants.

When the judges made the announcement of who was the winner and
a six year old jumped for joy.....

My dreams of new bike were shattered.
I knew somehow someday I would get even with this contest
that I should have won, had I been 4 years younger.

Flash Forward 20 years later.
We are in Broomfield.
Have not attended Broomfield days in 12 years
But then I remember the CONTEST!

My son, a much smaller, cuter clown is going to enter.
And with a Toddlers and Tiara's parent like attitude
I dragged my kid to the park at
8am, dressed like a clown
to win a bike.

I made Jeremy paint his face.
And we were off.
Xander was happy for about 5 minutes at the park and then started saying,
"I want to go home"
So in true parent coach fashion, I said,
"Don't you want to win a bike"
"No, I want to go home"
"I will buy you a new train"
That kept him quiet for another 10 minutes before he started saying it again, and again.
I ignored him and really hoped the contest would get going, so the judges could see my cute, happy clown.

"I want to go home"
My Love and Logic parenting kicked in, as I started to feel guilty that I was forcing my child to do this contest so I could live vicariously through him.

So I said, "Xander, you don't have to do the contest but Mama wants to watch the other kids, then we will go home"

This kept him quiet for another 10 minutes until finally the contest got going at 8:45am when the contest was supposed to start at 8am. His age group was up first, so I said
"Xander, the other kids are going up on that stage, do you want to go?"

"Yes!"
Music to my ears!
He went right up there with Dad and hearing his name announced was music to his ears because he started dancing and gave the crowd of parents and judges a good chuckle.

That is my boy!
We were a shu in for the first prize.
And he did it. He won. The bike for his age group was his,
and the 14 year old clown in me who was in that same place
20 years ago
Smiled!