By LISA STARK
Contributing Writer/Photographer
There were live monkeys, tricky dogs, pony rides, balloon animals, clown gags and glittery gift bags from Santa. But it was the smiles of the more than 400 children who attended that lit up the day at the Gibtown Showmen’s Club’s annual Christmas Party, held on Dec.10.
“It’s all about the kids, and whatever it takes to give them a great time,” said Wilbur Cooke, reigning president of the International Independent Showmen’s Association Inc., commonly known as the Gibtown Showmen’s Club. “Some of these kids won’t have any other Christmas,” added Kal Hamilton, chairman of the Special Needs Christmas party.
Now in its seventh year, the holiday event offers a day of festive fun to youngsters, some of them battling debilitating conditions such as leukemia, cancer, Down syndrome and various physical and emotional disabilities. “I cry every year at this party, seeing these happy kids,” said club member Elena Wynn. “You’ll see a lot of wet eyes out there.”
Children enjoyed carnival rides, animal tricks, dancing, homemade cookies and gift bags stuffed with toys, art supplies, puzzles and games, donated by a host of contributors.
Hillsborough County Schools furnished buses to transport more than 400 children to the holiday event, while Jean Trimarcho baked 1500 cookies from her home kitchen for the party. Twenty-five volunteers wrapped presents for the students, who included kids from kindergarten to grade 12. “It’s definitely a team effort” said one member of “Team Gibsonton,” a group from the school comprising parents, teachers and administrators. “It takes a big effort from everyone to pull this together for these children.”
“It’s our way of spreading Christmas cheer,” said Russell Hamilton, who helped organize the event. Explained an emotional Tracy Blanton, whose young daughter, Emma, is battling brain cancer: “This day means the world to us. Without it, my little girl would have no Christmas at all.”
The Showmen’s Club is a nonprofit private organization of people in the outdoor amusement industry. The original club building opened in 1966, and has expanded to be the largest Showmen’s Association in the U.S., with 4500 members from all over the U.S. and several foreign countries. Made up of many retired and senior members, the sprawling facility in “Gibtown” was built by funds raised solely by its own members.
The club hosts myriad charity events and fundraisers that benefit the community. “I’ve been here 28 years,” said office administrator Elena Wynn, “and it’s awesome how much work we do for the community.”
In addition to funding events like the Christmas party, the club also sponsors scholarships for worthy high-school students to attend the University of South Florida. “We rely on donations from our own members and beyond,” said President Wilbur Cooke, citing the recent $2500 gift from Walmart and regular contributions from corporations such as Allied Insurance Co.
The club also relies on members to give generous donations of time and talent to their events. One such member is Phil Hendricks, a retired attorney and current owner of “Banana Derby,” a popular carnival act of “monkey jockeys” who perform at fairs and carnivals across the country.
Hendricks brought his personable friend “Gilligan” to entertain the kids at the Christmas event. Similarly, Rick Martin performed his “Tricky Dogs” act, to the obvious delight of the youngsters.
“My husband and I can’t thank them enough,” said Tracy Blanton. “It’s wonderful what they’re doing for these families in need.”
Upcoming events at the Gibtown Showmen’s Club include the 47th annual “Super Trade Show Extravaganza,” Feb. 3-7, featuring the world’s largest outdoor amusement devices ever displayed, as well as the much anticipated “Showmen’s Circus,” to be held Saturday, Jan. 10, benefiting local charities. For more information, visit www.gibtownshowmensclub.com or call 813-677-3590.