Annual Clownfest Moving from Seaside Heights to Lancaster, Pa.

This is no joke: The annual clown convention that has called New Jersey home for nearly a quarter of a century is taking its red noses, floppy shoes and baggy pants to Pennsylvania.

Finances forced Clownfest to move from Seaside Heights to Lancaster, Pa., during the third weekend in September.

Organizer Vincent "Vappo the Clown" Pagliano tells The Star-Ledger of Newark people are "pinging" him in the head. But he says the move dramatically cuts expenses.

Seaside Heights Mayor Bill Akers says Clownfest was second to the Columbus Day Parade in terms of drawing crowds up to 10,000 people.

Pagliano says he decided to make the move before Superstorm Sandy damaged Seaside's boardwalk.

The clowns plan to play baseball in Lancaster instead of holding a parade.

Copyright 2013 The Associated Press.