Circle City Sidewalk Stompers Clown Band

The Circle City Sidewalk Stompers Clown Band has been performing fast-moving, choreographed routines to upbeat music since 1976, and this will be the band’s fifth trip to Danville.
“The guys love coming down there to Danville,” clown band director Steve Sutherlin said. “It is the most appreciative audience we’ve ever played for. 
They are very knowledgeable about music.”
The band’s 18 musicians — 13 play each show — include trumpet players, trombonists, saxophonists, bass and snare drummers, and sousaphonists dressed 
in colorful clown costumes and ready to entertain the crowd with comic interaction and fancy footwork. When not playing with the band, members work at a variety of occupations from air traffic controller to university administrator. 
The Stompers, who are based in Indianapolis, are unveiling a brand new program during its performances this year.
The group averages 60 performances a year at public and private events.
The Stompers played at the Indiana Pacers’ NBA playoff games last month and have been named the official band of the Indianapolis Colts for the upcoming 
season. They also entertain at private parties, weddings, parades, festivals and the Indiana State Fair. 
As word of the talented musicians and their high-energy show spread, the group began to travel outside Indiana, appearing at state fairs. This year they are scheduled to play at the San Diego County Fair — an event that draws about 1.4 million people — the Alaska State Fair and the South Carolina State Fair. 
The band traveled to Nice, France, in 1996 to perform for Carnaval, the European version of Mardi Gras. The band was chosen out of 113 other applicants to represent the United States.
The group attributes its success to its members‚ excellent musicianship, and to its ability to adapt to any performance situation.
“We’re a great group of people who love to entertain people of all different ages and nationalities,” Sutherlin said.