17 Stunning Photos From A Bizarre Clown Conference In Guatemala

AP Photo/Luis Romero

The sixth annual Congress of Latin American clowns took place this week in Guatemala City, where more than 200 professional clowns gathered to exchange tricks of the trade.

The conference — which included clowns from El Salvador, Honduras, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, the Dominican Republic, and the U.S. — was sponsored by

the union representing workers in Guatemala’s entertainment sector.

Much to coulrophobics‘ dismay, the event included both happy and sad clowns.

Clowns from all over the world gathered for four days this week in Guatemala City for the sixth annual Latin American Clown Congress.

More than 200 clowns attended to learn new skills, attend workshops, and network.

All ages and genders are welcome.

The conference is sponsored by the union that represents workers in Guatemala's entertainment sector.

Fox News Latino.

The union's founder, Mario Solarzano -- who has performed under the name 'Remachito' for 18 years -- says 'These congresses help us learn more things and new performance techniques to make people laugh.'

Fox News Latino.

During the four-day conference, participants danced in the Parade of Clowns down the streets of Guatemala City.

Dressed as Charlie Chaplin, Guatemalan Uriel Cifuentes struck a pose while marching in the parade.

This clown gifted a plastic bracelet to a child during the parade.

Other clowns posed with policemen and restaurant workers.

A police officer smiles as a clown holds of a newspaper depicting a crime scene and says jokingly, 'The police, always in the news,' while marching in the Parade of Clowns.

This clown stopped for a snack break.

The clowns on the conference like to entertain people in their host city.

'Fruty' the clown smiled for the camera.

But not all clowns, like Molinillo here, are so happy.

There are many sad clowns, like 82-year-old 'Trucuto the Clown,' who attended the first-ever Clowns' Congress in El Salvador in 2006.

This family of clowns also showed off their frowns.

But there were still plenty of smiling clowns to pose for this group photo.

Why are some clowns creepy?

A Brief History Of Clowns, And Why They're So Darn Scary >

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