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DAYTON -There are plenty of clowns, horses and cowboys to be found at the Dayton Rodeo, but take a look around Oak Park and it's easy to see there is much more to the community's celebration.

Just inside the park's entryway vendors of every kind line the walkways selling everything from Western wear, to jewelry and dachshund puppies.

Twyla Brede set up a booth near the carnival that proved to be a hit with some of the youngest in attendance as they could create their own spin art posters and frisbies, or have their faces pained to look like various animals.

Trevor McCuddin's appearance began to resemble that of a tiger as Brede applied orange and black paint to his face.

"It feels kind of weird," he said as she brushed the paint onto his face.

Brede and her husband, who might also make an appearance or two as clowns during certain events, have spent the summer taking their face painting and spin art on the road to the Iowa State Fair, ice cream socials, libraries, day care centers and community festivals.

"We're the Crossroads Clowns," she said. "I went to a Christian clowning camp and learned the face painting. It just sort of came easily, so we keep on doing it."

Across the park, sisters Leslyn Billman, of Oklahoma City, Okla. and Marla Miller, of Clarion found a shady spot under the awning of Dick Bryant's camper to browse his selection of sterling silver jewelry available for purchase.

Bryant, of Harcourt, has been setting up at the Dayton Rodeo for the past 12 years, which is just one stop he makes at craft shows throughout the year.

"I've been doing this for years," Bryant said. "I still do between 30 and 35 shows a year. That's something I'm quite proud of being able to do since I'm 83 years old."

Dayton native Matt Faiferlick had a large display of his hand crafted wood toys, carved signs, keepsake boxes and cremation urns available for purchase at his booth. Faiferlicks customized creations are all made by hand with the help of a computerized saw and engraving machine.

"We can make just about anything," he said. "One of our bigger sellers have been the urns."

For Faiferlick, coming back to Dayton from Des Moines is about more than making a few sales.

"This is just a part-time hobby," he said. We've been here every year for about 20 years. I think I've missed one rodeo in that time, and when I wasn't here I heard about it. We enjoy every minute of it, and do a little bit of selling and a lot more visiting."

The Dayton Rodeo celebration will continue today through Monday with rodeo performances, craft and food vendors carnival and a parade on Monday.

Contact Emilie Nelson at (515)573-2141 or enelson@messengernews.net