Alan Ware, DeLand’s beloved “Bubble Guy,” is recovering from a fall from a ladder outside of the Athens Theatre in Downtown DeLand.

Ware, the theater’s facilities manager, was using a 12-foot ladder when he fell about 8:30 p.m. Jan. 9, according to Santi Gabino Jr., director of marketing and communications for the Athens.

Gabino said Ware is expected to recover from his “pretty serious” injuries. Out of respect for Ware’s privacy and the need to allow Ware to focus on healing, Gabino declined to share more details.

In addition to Ware’s work as an actor and as facilities manager at the historic theater, he is a familiar sight in Downtown DeLand, as he pedals the streets displaying posters of upcoming shows and bringing joy to onlookers with a cascade of soap bubbles spilling from the back of his bike.

Justin Peterson was heading home after skateboarding around Downtown DeLand, when he witnessed a ladder topple at 124 N. Florida Ave. He first thought a bag of tools had fallen off the ladder, then realized it was a person.

He rushed to Ware and called 911.

“I got 911 on the phone and I just started yelling at the top of my lungs, somebody help,” Peterson said.

He said emergency personnel arrived on the scene quickly.

“It was a scary thing to see it,” Peterson said. “I’m just glad he’s going to be OK. … I’m just glad I could be there to help him.”

“We are so grateful to everyone who jumped in to help, and to the amazing medical team taking care of him,” Gabino said.

Ware connected with DeLand via clown-college roommates who were working for the Cole Bros. Circus, which was then headquartered here. 

Before landing in DeLand in 1999, Ware spent 12 years touring as a clown in the Ringling Brothers Circus, and studied in the 1990s under Marcel Marceau.

 “Please keep Alan in your thoughts as he continues to heal,” Gabino said.