Ronan resident clowns around town
TRAVIS BYNUM completes the finishing touches on his outfit for his alter ego, “Bobo the Hobo.” (Ashley Fox/Lake County Leader)
“BOBO THE HOBO,” portrayed by Travis Bynum, performs part of his act in an alley in Ronan. (Ashley Fox/Lake County Leader)
IT TAKES about an hour for Ronan resident Travis Bynum to apply his clown makeup. Bynum has taught himself how to do his own makeup for what he and his children call a “free-range clown” act. (Ashley Fox/Lake County Leader)
THERE ARE no clown stores in Montana, so Travis Bynum said he makes his own props and orders some things, such as makeup, online. (Ashley Fox/Lake County Leader)
FIRE BREATHING is Travis Bynum’s favorite part of his “Bobo the Hobo” performance. Bynum also does juggling and makes balloon animals, among other talents when he’s in character. (Ashley Fox/Lake County Leader)
Just before he took a gulp of fresh air, Travis Bynum commented on how windy it had become.
“This could be dangerous,” he said in a serious tone, but a twinkle in his eye.
Bynum took a swig of a flammable liquid, and breathed it onto a little switch with a little flame dancing in the strong breeze.
The fireball and resulting heat were carried by the next gust of wind, melting off a layer of his makeup.
Dressed as his alter ego, “Bobo the Hobo,” Bynum was performing stunts in an alley in Ronan, just moments before the sun disappeared and snow began to swirl, bringing his show to an end.
Bynum, 38, began his act about four years ago as a way for him and his two children, a son and daughter, to bond.
“It was something we could do together” during a difficult time in their lives, he said.
His son, now 13, plays a mime that recently began learning how to ride a unicycle and is “great at juggling,” Bynum said.
At 11 years old, Bynum’s daughter is wise beyond her years with a level of sophisticated sass.
In an age where “everyone needs a label,” Bynum said that the clown performance gave his children, as well as himself, a level of confidence that has helped them become aware of who they are.
Being self-aware at a young age has prevented bullying, he added. “I tell them to ‘be yourself.’ Don’t try to fit in.”
Together, Bynum said that the family has been largely self-taught, from learning how to apply makeup to breathing fire to juggling.
“The trick to breathing fire is practice,” he said, laughing.
A big reason the Bynums learn their craft on their own is because there aren’t clown resources in Montana, he explained.
Costs of makeup and props can add up, leaving him to purchase what he can online.
The rest, Bynum said, he makes on his own.
Practicing together when they can, Bynum said that it’s not uncommon to try their routines in full costume around town, noting “it’s fun to stop traffic.”
Stopping traffic isn’t all the family does.
Just last summer, Bynum said the trio went camping as clowns.
His son once explained that the three are “free-range clowns,” performing wherever, whenever.
When he’s not acting, Bynum works at the Ronan thrift store, Twice But Nice, teaching work ethics through Mission Mountain Enterprises.
Next to his children, Bynum said he performs for the clients, who tell him where he may need to work on a routine or where his act is strongest.
Bynum takes his act locally, performing for birthdays and other events around the Flathead Reservation, free of charge.
For cities off the reservation, Bynum said he charges $50 when he’s solo, and $100 when it’s a family act.
As the family learns their way in the clown world, Bynum said they’ll keep trying their hand at new performance pieces while polishing what they already know.
“You’re not allowed to be scared in my house. You have to keep trying.”