“Crazy Elmer” is coming to Pillow

Entertainer set for 60th straight appearance

By Rob Wheary, Staff Writer • csrobwheary@gmail.com

PILLOW – For the past 60 years, the last Friday in July has meant one thing to the people of this small community — “Crazy Elmer” is coming to town.
ClenRoy Geist, under his stage name, will make his 60th straight appearance at the Pillow firemen’s carnival on Friday, July 29, appearing with the band the Outlaws, with a show starting at 8 p.m.
“I’ve been there for 60 years straight, never missed a show and never had a rainout,” Geist said from his home. “Pillow is very special to me, cause for some reason they keep having me back and we pack the place.
Geist said there are times when people will leave their chairs on a Thursday night at the Fire company picnic grounds, just so they can have a seat for Crazy Elmer and the Outlaws.
For 67 years, Elmer has been entertaining audiences through Pennsylvania and New Jersey with special trips to Wheeling, W. Va., Richmond, Va., and Myrtle Beach, S.C. He started performing at the age of 13, being a part of the minstrel shows in his hometown of Longswamp, Pa.
“I started in the chorus and watched as the six end men, the performers would do their routines on stage,” Geist said. “The next year, one of the end men quit and they asked me if I wanted to do it, so I did.”
At the next performance, one of the band members for the country music band Earl Keller