The Greenwich Bay Women’s Club puts on Clown Town every March.

The Greenwich Bay Women’s Club is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year. The civic organization was established by Judy Earnshaw with an eye toward helping the community and providing a way for women to get together and socialize. All women are welcome to join.

For nearly 50 years, the GBWC has put on Clown Town – one of East Greenwich’s unofficial spring indicators. It takes place this Saturday, March 29, and the clowns will be out in force. If you look beyond the face paint and funny clothes, you’ll probably recognize some of those clowns. They are the members themselves.

After many years of Clown Town duty, GBWC President Karen Settipane has accumulated four clown outfits.

“It makes you feel good because you’re doing something good for the community,” she said during a recent interview.

Clown Town will be held in the auditorium and dining room at St. Luke’s Church from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. There’s face painting, lots of games, a cake walk (!), crafts, food, and the Easter Bunny will be there. Free admission. The proceeds will go to the EG Academy Foundation and the Barbara Tufts Cooperative Preschool this year.

GBWC also offers scholarships open to residents of the Greenwich Bay area – East Greenwich, Warwick, Coventry and North Kingstown. While most of the applicants are high school students, Settipane said the process is also open to women looking to go back to school. Applicants must show their commitment to community service.

If you are interested in learning more about the club, contact Karen Settipane ([email protected]).