Sparkles the clown, left, and Ravioli, right, follow the lead of the Rev. Patricia Munson as they recite their vows during their clown "wedding" at Lincoln Park on Monday. (Enrique Gutierrez/San Joaquin News Service)

Clowning around: Couple gets 'married' at Tracy fund-raiser

TRACY -- Sporting an oversize blue bow tie, a giant polka-dot hat and shoes big enough for two, Ravioli the Clown was a tad fidgety as he waited for his fashionably late bride, Sparkles the Clown.

"As a real wedding, this one will be delayed," Ravioli told the crowd of more than 100 people gathered at Lincoln Park on Monday to see his "wedding" to Sparkles -- a fund-raiser for Tracy Interfaith Ministries.

About 15 minutes later, Sparkles and her wedding party of a dozen girls dressed in clown outfits wound their way to the spot where Ravioli, his groom's party and the clown minister stood.

As boys and girls of all ages, their parents and friends watched intently, Ravioli and Sparkles stood before the minister, Pastor Patter, also known as the Rev. Patricia Munson.

Ravioli promised not to put a frog in his wife's bed, lick the extra ice cream off her cone if it melts faster than she can eat it and hold her hand while crossing the street, while Sparkles swore never to put ants in her husband's pants, always make him really good ice cream for dinner and feed the spinach to the dog.

Then they exchanged rings -- oversize diamond rings for both.

"You may kiss your clown," concluded Pastor Patter.

Kaitlyn Hawkins, 11, also known as Giggles, was a bridesmaid of sorts.

"I thought it was really fun and great," she said, sporting a purple wig. "I really love Sparkles and Ravioli. They're really good people."

Terry "Sparkles" Donaldson, 54, and Denis "Ravioli" Martinez, 55, will be married for real Oct. 16 before the Rev. Munson at the Bridal Fair at The Holiday Inn Express in Tracy. They will not wear their clown outfits, Donaldson said.

The event is open to the public. A $5 donation at the door will go to Tracy Interfaith Ministries.

Monday's event was a way to donate their clowning services for a good cause, said Sparkles and Ravioli, who live near Tracy.

Raffle tickets for people to take part in the wedding and for other prizes were sold at the event for $1 each. The money raised Monday -- $2,500 -- will go to a building fund for Tracy Interfaith Ministries, which served 51,900 meals in July -- about 500 more than in July 2003.

Susan Sarvey, a Tracy Interfaith Ministries volunteer who is spearheading the effort, said $160,000 has been raised for the project so far. Tracy Interfaith needs $350,000 to break ground, she said.

Tracy Interfaith is now looking for donations of building materials and other donations including concrete, roof tiles, sheet rock, garage doors, insulation and landscaping supplies.

Tracy Interfaith Ministries, which spent about $174,500 last year, serves an increasing number of people, noted Sarvey, who also helped organize Monday's event.

In the meantime, Ravioli and Sparkles are ready for their real wedding next month.

"I'm committed to her," Martinez said. "I love her."