Not many people know about it, but Steven Giroux is leading a double-life.
Most days, the 52-year-old Oxford resident can be found behind the wheel of a truck routinely delivering Pepsi products as he’s done for the last 20 years.
But there are times when Giroux indulges his wild side by wearing makeup, a wig and a pair of colorful shoes.
That’s right ? Steve Giroux is a clown.
‘All my life I kinda wanted to be a clown,? he said. ‘My dad was a huge fan of Red Skelton. He was probably one of the best (clowns) ever.?
It all started a little more than a year ago when the pastor at Giroux’s church, Seymour Lake United Methodist in Brandon Township, introduced him to a book entitled, ‘The Clown Ministry Handbook? by Janet Litherland.
The 160-page book covers a wide range of topics including clowns throughout history, the costumes and facial makeup of various types of clowns and how clowning can be used as a church ministry and way to serve God. ‘You couldn’t help but want to do it once you read the book,? Giroux said.
Soon, Giroux’s alter-ego, Goofball, was entertaining children of all ages at church functions and community events like Celebrate Oxford and most recently, Septemberfest in Ortonville. ‘It just gives me a chance to be silly,? he said.
Giroux’s main talent is making balloon animals for the kids from monkeys, roadrunners and mermaids to flowers and swords, a favorite among the boys.
‘It’s one of the simplest ones to make and the boys seem to like it the most,? he said.
While entertaining at Celebrate Oxford this year, Giroux recalled he made balloon animals for three straight hours.
When his wife, Diane, came to pick him up for his break, Giroux looked out across the sea of little faces and realized he couldn’t leave yet and disappoint the kids.
‘I had a line of kids waiting that was probably an hour long,? he said. ‘I don’t know how to stop. I love the kids, the faces, the hugs.?
As Giroux was packing up to leave, he even had three teenagers stop and ask to take a photo with him.
‘I thought that was pretty cool,? he said.
Beyond being goofy and entertaining kids, Giroux enjoys how being a clown gives him the opportunity to promote his church and God. ‘I truly feel we all need a place to go to and a place to belong. That’s why I do it.?
He also likes helping people overcome their fear of clowns, which he said is more prevalent among adults than children.
‘I think it’s a phobia that Hollywood has helped to perpetuate.?
Not wishing to inspire fear, Giroux never ‘rushes? up to anybody and gets in their face. ‘Sometimes you have to let the kids come to you.?
Even Giroux’s wife is afraid of clowns.
‘She’s getting better,? he noted.
Diane’s no longer scared when her husband puts on his makeup. ‘At first, she was a little leery,? he said.
That’s why Giroux chose to go with Auguste clown’s makeup ? which calls for white makeup around the eyes and mouth only ? instead of the traditional whiteface clown.
‘The whiteface clown always struck me as being a little scarier than the Auguste.?
There are about four or five members of Seymour Lake UMC who don clown makeup and costumes to promote their church. Sometimes others get talked into trying it.
‘You can get just about anybody in a red nose if you try hard enough,? Giroux said. ‘Some of them stick, some of them don’t. It definitely has to be something you want to do.?