Bozo the Clown

Tribune photo by Nancy Stone

Bozo historian George Pappas protects some of the few artifacts that remain behind his desk.

Tribune photo by Nancy Stone

At WGN studios, a plaque in the hallway honors three important shows produced there that are now all off the air.

Tribune photo by Chuck Berman

Bozo, aka Joey D'Auria, leads the final Grand March at the end of the last show. Music director Andy Mitran and Rusty the Handyman (Robin Eurich) follow behind.

Tribune photo by Chuck Berman

Bozo (Joey D'Auria) assists Trevor Lewakowski, 10, of Lake Forest, Ill. as he plays the "Grand Prize Game" at the last taping of the show billed as "Bozo: 40 Years of Fun."

Tribune photo by Nancy Stone

Some of the pins handed out to guests remain at WGN television studios.

Tribune photo by Nancy Stone

This backdrop was painted originally in 1984, but repainted several times since.

Tribune photo by Nancy Stone

At WGN studios in Chicago there are few remnants left of the Bozo show which went off the air in 2001, but these buckets from the 1970's are stored in a closet for safe keeping.

Tribune photo by Nancy Stone

Few remnants remain of the Bozo show, which went off the air in 2001. However, the famous buckets from the Grand Prize Game remain and are kept in a WGN storage room.

Tribune photo by Nancy Stone

Columns built for the set of the Bozo show in 1981 are now stored in a garage built for WGN's trucks.

Tribune photo by Chuck Berman

The last taping of the Bozo show on WGN-TV in 2001. The show was billed as "Bozo: 40 Years of Fun."

Tribune photo by Nancy Stone

George Pappas, Bozo historian at WGN Television, brings out a sign from the 1970's that now lives in a closet in the WGN television studios in Chicago where there are few remnants left of the Bozo show which went off the air in 2001.

Tribune photo by Nancy Stone

Used by the various Bozos during the show's run.

AP photo by Mark Elias

Bozo, Joey D'Auria, welcomes a young fan to the show.

Tribune photo by Nancy Stone

Bozo fan Michael O'Brien of Elgin turned 4-years old and said he wanted everything Bozo for his birthday.

Tribune photo by Nancy Stone

Markings still remain for where to put the movable bleachers for the visitors.

Tribune photo by Chuck Berman

Bozo sticks out his tongue after repeatedly blowing the pronunciation of musical guest Billy Corgan's name. Billy, former leader of the Smashing Pumpkins, and his band performed Bob Dylan's "Forever Young."

Tribune photo by Nancy Stone

The painted circus tent remains on the walls of WGN studios, where the Bozo show was filmed.

Tribune photo by Nancy Stone

Dusty bits of confetti from the Bozo Circus show still remain high up in the studio.