Facetime: Dweedle the Clown

Mitch Dicker is Dweedle the Clown. He's also the director of Clowning Around/Celebration Authority in Mundelein. The business provides Lake County with DJs, clowns and other entertainers for parties and events along with party items such as inflatable and games. Dicker spoke with Lake County Journal reporter Yadira Sanchez Olson about being Dweedle the Clown.

How did you come up with Dweedle the Clown?
My dad came up with the name Dweedle by trying to mimic my sister and call me a dweeb. Instead, Dweed came out so I added the le to make it sound fun and cute. The personality of Dweedle is a fun, outgoing and energetic clown. I had the name, the personality and Dweedle was born. That was in 1991.

What's a funny anecdote that's happened when you were in your costume?
I was on the way to a show and realized I forgot my clown shoes at home. (Never a good idea to drive in clown shoes) I stopped at a shoe store and asked for the largest brightest shoes they had. I bought the shoes, got to my show and went to put them on — two different sizes. One was a 15 the other 10. Well, it was showtime and I needed to start. I did the whole show in flip flops. At the end of the party the mom thanked me for taking the time and adjusting the theme of my costume to match her theme of a Hawaiian pool party. I smiled and said, 'My pleasure.'

Were you afraid of clowns when you were little?
I was never afraid of clowns but my sister was and she is now a clown, too. Her name is MiMi the clown. My wife is a clown too. Her name is Soozee the clown. We are a big clown family.

What's a good clown joke?
Why did the clown go to the doctor? He felt funny.