The Lenin Statue, the Fremont Troll and “Waiting for the Interurban” are the pieces of public art that get most name-checked when discussing things to see in Fremont. However, some longtime Fremonsters might tell you they appreciate “Late for the Interurban”, a bronze statue dedicated to J.P. Patches and Gertrude, the most.
Julius Pierpont Patches, a clown portrayed by Seattle entertainer Chris Wedes, has been a Seattle icon since The J.P. Patches Show debuted in 1958. The show ran until 1981 and Patches remained a mainstay of the community ever since. His clown car could be seen driving through Fremont regularly up until recently.
Wedes appeared on 97.3 KIRO FM’s Dori Monson Show and said he’s probably going to hang up the red nose at some point soon.
“I think this is going to be my last year…I don’t feel like I have the old zing that you really need to get out there and greet your fans…I don’t think about the health problems, I just say, ‘OK, today’s a wonderful day…I have the most wonderful doctors, and nurses, and technicians that are taking care of me.”
Take a stroll down memory lane with J.P…