A brief autobiography of Belly Buttons the clown.
When I was born, both my parents were with the circus. My father was a clown and my mother was a high wire aerialist. Since I was raised in the circus and had sawdust in my veins, it was a natural move for me to become a children's entertainer, so I did.
Actually, not a word of what you just read about me is true, people like to hear that story, so I tell it often. It's much longer than that but you get the idea.
The truth is much more down to earth. In 1988 my husband was in the U.S.Air Force and we were stationed in Germany. Since American type children's entertainment was hard to come by, some friends of mine and I started dressing up as characters and clowns and entertained the children at the American youth center and the day care facilities. I fell in love. When we returned to the states, I decided to start clowning in earnest and Belly Buttons was born.
I started in the Norfolk-Virginia Beach, Virginia area as a clown grew from there. There were a few lonely years at first but I ultimately owned and operated Tutu Tootsie and Friends, the largest ( and the best) children's entertainment company in Hampton Roads area of Virginia. We grew to employ 7 full-time and a number of part-time clowns and magicians. We specialized in birthday parties, picnics and corporate events.
I have always strived to personally grow in my chosen career. I have attended many clown and magic conventions and courses. I personally have won numerous awards in balloon sculptures, face painting, costuming, and palatability. Those awards mean absolutely nothing to the children that I entertain, but it ensures that I keep growing as a entertainer. I have worked for Barnum and Bailey Circus, Great Wolf Lodge Resort in Williamsburg, Virginia, Kings Mill Resort in Williamsburg, Virginia, Bush Gardens in Williamsburg, Virginia, and many many more, to many to list here.
After 28 years of marriage and missing many of our own family reunions, family birthday parties and holiday events, due to work commitments, my husband and I, after much deliberation, decided to move back home. My husband, Jay Hunter's entire family lives in the Malone area. I am really looking forward to the challenge of starting over and making many many new friends.
Thank You!
Terri Hunter
