Walter, the World’s Largest VW bus.

of the Phoenix Clean and Beautiful (now Keep Phoenix Beautiful) program. Though his work has often revolved around motivating and uplifting communities, his job at APS is truly a perfect fit. Ricketts works with the APS Clown Troupe, spending countless hours at parades, schools and hospitals, tying balloons, high-fiving kids and offering a helping hand. He performs as a character known as Benjamin FranKlown, who teaches children about fire safety. And while Ricketts is passionate about all of his work, the Electric Light Parade holds a special place in his heart. “It’s the most unbelievable parade ever,” he said, explaining that the parade is actually the property of the city of Phoenix. “APS was just smart enough to come along and go, ‘Oh, lights, power. This is something we should do,’” he said. “Giving back to the community is important. And with this, we hit every income level, religion and ethnicity.” Ricketts has seen the parade evolve over the years, back from when it just circled Civic Plaza a couple of times. “The technology has blossomed. Years ago we would do unbelievably power inefficient lighting. We would try to make sure that the circuits didn’t blow every time something moved,” he said. Then along came net lighting and LEDs, which Ricketts calls “a gift from heaven.” Today, the parade utilizes thousands of lights that run on very little power. Another innovation is the illuminated helium balloons that go down the parade route. “The crowd just goes crazy,” he said. “All kinds of shapes, sizes and colors. We were really on the cutting edge for that.” To say Ricketts loves the holidays is an understatement. In fact, he starts listening to carols in July. “We’re that family that decorates every room in the house,” he said, noting that they bedeck a dozen trees. “I admit that it’s an addiction and my wife feeds my addiction. But I just love that.” Ricketts’ spirit is so infectious he has no problem corralling dozens of volunteers — mostly Clown Troupe members and other APS volunteers — For more than 20 years, the APS volunteer clown troupe has partnered with community organizations, participated in parades and provided face painting and balloon-twisting at charity events. DECEMBER 2018 | FRONTDOORS MEDIA 15