Harold Reitz, an Orefield resident well-known for his appearances as PitStop the clown and for his many prizes in the Philadelphia Mummers parade, has won another accolade.

At the recent Clown Fest in Seaside Heights, N.J., Reitz received the Peoples' Choice award as the favorite clown on the boardwalk.

In Seaside Heights for three-and-a-half days of classes, Reitz said clown contestants were sent to the boardwalk one day to interact and perform with the tourists and residents.

Each clown had a number attached to his outfit to enable observers to vote for the one they liked best.

Reitz earned the highest number of votes and was designated "Favorite Clown on the Boardwalk."

He wore a costume with very long arms, which he used to hug spectators and to do high-fives.

"People really enjoy that," Reitz said. "I never had so many pictures taken of me as I did that day."

He explained there is a lot to learn to be a good clown. During the fest, participants attended classes on parade ability, make-up, costumes and balloons.

During one session, the clowns were advised to become creative in using garden hoses and decorations to construct instruments for a kazoo band.

Reitz particularly enjoyed hearing from former Barnum and Bailey circus clowns relating their experiences.

Many of those circus clowns are in the Clown Hall of Fame and are on the staff of Clown Fest.

Another presenter Reitz found interesting was an organizer from New York who arranges jobs for clowns in major parades.

Reitz has been attending the Clown Fest for nearly 20 years. This year, approximately 100 clowns were present from places far and wide, including Canada, Puerto Rico, Alaska and California.

Participants also devoted time to playing games with children on the beach.

On one day, a fun-filled parade featured high school bands and the clown band, which performs in Macy's holiday parades, as well as the clowns who were part of the fest.

Reitz expressed his thoughts on the experience.

"You learn a lot of new things. It's really neat," Reitz said.