The Emmett Kelly Museum board of directors are proud to announce they will sponsor the museum's 40th Anniversary Celebration and Largest Gathering of Clowns world record attempt. The celebration events to take place June 18 - 23, 2007 in Sedan, Kansas, the birth town of Emmett Kelly Sr., the world famous Circus clown.

Although in the planning stages, preparations are being made to hold a week long of clown related activities for adults and children, including a Clown School, ending with the “Largest Clown Gathering”, Guinness world record attempt and parade, June 23, 2007.

The museum is seeking sponsors for various related activities and donations from corporate and private donors.

Contacts and associations have been and are being made with the Sedan City Council, Chautauqua County Commission, Sedan Area Chamber of Commerce, Sedan Area Economic Development Committee, Chautauqua County School system USD 286, the Sedan Times Star newspaper, the Office of the Governor of Kansas; Kathleen Sebelius, the Kansas State Legislature, and other State and Federal government offices and officials.

Special invitations have been sent to numerous Clown Associations, Clown Schools, Clowns and Circuses, to participate and march in the *Largest Gathering of Clowns Guinness World Record attempt. *(Based on the record of largest gathering of clowns in 1991, at Bognor Regis, West Sussex, UK, where 850 clowns, including 430 from North America.)

In a letter to the museum dated March 22, 2006, Kansas State Senator Derek Schmidt wrote,”I support and encourage the activities that have been planned for the Emmett Kelly Museum's 40th Anniversary Celebration.” Senator Schmidt went on to state, “The 40th Anniversary Celebration, along with the Sedan Opera House update and restoration projects, should bring a large number of visitors to the area to participate in the fun-filled events.” Then in conclusion, after which Senator Schmidt offered his best wishes he noted,” I believe that these activities will be a valuable asset for the community and surrounding areas in building a tourist destination for southeast Kansas.”