programs

11th ANNUAL ClydeFEST!
April 14, 2012, 11 am-4 pm
Bynum Ball Field map, directions
$3 for children under 12,
$7 for adults
Rain date: April 15 from Noon-5.

As promised, the 11th Annual ClydeFEST was undoubtedly the "best 'FEST yet"! Congratulations to winners Eric Cohen (critter raffle) & Richard Semelka (critter auction). Hurry to get your commemorative T-shirt! Call 919-542-0394 to place your order.

Several media outlets recorded the day in words and photos including the Raleigh News & Observer.

The field started taking shape on Friday when circus tents on loan from our local arts partners at Shakori Grassroots Festival of Music & Dance were put up by a crew of *fantastic* volunteers led by Stephan Meyers, Bob "Bobbo" Ellers, and Gilda McDaniel. Thank you to our dedicated volunteers and extra-ordinary volunteer coordinator Beth Budd! Without volunteers ClydeFEST just would not exist.

On Saturday, April 14, with bright balloons bouncing and colorful penants popping in a brisk breeze, almost one thousand kids of all ages - some from as far away as Australia and London - came to the village of Bynum for ChathamArts' ClydeFEST, and an authentic Chatham County arts experience. FEST-goers played games inspired by the bright colors of local folk artist Clyde Jones - new this year was "Bubble Trouble" by Bynum neighbors, River Dukes and Diana Garside!

Attendees made art at "Critterville" and music at the drum circle. Participants danced, jumped and shimmied alongside of live music performers, Takiri Folklorico Dance Academy, and The Bouncing Bulldogs International Jump Rope Skipping Team among others. ClydeFEST's inspiration, Clyde Jones, applied tattoos, chatted with visitors and built a critter for auction with proceeds benefitting ChathamArts. A new feature this year was the awarding of scholarships to 5 deserving young people to attend week-long art camps at Woods Summer Wonders Camp.

One parent claims, “My daughter looks forward to ClydeFEST as much as she looks forward to Santa Claus!” ChathamArts believes her, and we’re darned proud. ChathamArts has heard the outcry from our local parents exclaiming the need for more engaging and enriching family activities. According to them, ChathamArts’ ClydeFEST Celebration delivers with unequaled panache. 

Peter Loose, Tim McKee - you both have brought your care for arts and community to make ClydeFEST so special. Thank you.  

Featured on the Bynum Front Porch Stage were (click on the red links to learn more):
• The phenomenal Takiri Folklorico Latin Dance Troupe
• Carolina Lightning
• Sarah Osborne and Joe Keasler
• Justin Johnson and his Gypsy Guitar
• The Bouncing Bulldogs International Rope Skipping Team
• Happy Dan the Magic Man ... and more!

Food Vendors included:
• Dusty's Donuts
• Little Dippers Italian Ices
• Triple J Ice Cream
• Barney's Hot Dogs
• Howard Alston's Fish Truck
• The Bynum Ruritans
• Bulkogi Korean BBQ 

Our generous ClydeFEST sponsors were:
• Captain John's Dockside
• Crook's Corner
• Weaver Street Realty
• Small B&B Cafe
• Bynum Front Porch
• Life 103.1 WLHC, Sanford
• Shakori Hills Gassroots Festival

...and T-shirt sponsors: Flying Dog Productions; The City Tap Bar; Virlies Grill; Cooper Brothers Citgo; PIttsboro Toys; Barringer Family Dentistry; Liquidamber Gallery; Carr Amps; Sweet Oven Bakery; BellaDonna Italian Restaurant; Circle City Screen Printing and Hope Crossing Animal Hospital.

...and to Lowe's Home Store in PIttsboro for plywood and water.  

...and the raffle prizes provided by the following businesses: Advanced Auto; Carolina Brewery; Doug's Auto; Glazed Expectations; Mama Dip's; Marbles Kids Museum; Museum of Life and Science; New Horizons Trading Company; Pittsboro Auto Care; Siler City Country Club; Something Else; Starlight Mead; Sullivan's Music; Townsend Bertram; UnWINEd, and YMCA. 

* * * * *

Check out “Clyde Jones Penguins, Giraffes and Other Critters His Joyous Vision” by Dr. Richard Semelka, a former radiologist at UNC Hospital.

About Clyde

by York WIlson

In case you’ve been wondering what Clyde keeps himself busy with other than ClydeFEST, here’s a quick recap of some of the fun he’s had this year. Our famous friend has been on the road a lot!  He’s been to the Fearrington Folk Art Show in February, the Ocracoke Festival in the summer, Cameron Art Museum in Wilmington, and starred in yet another documentary. He delivered several new pieces to the permanent collection at American Visionary Arts Museum in Baltimore and he even made a star appearance in New York City!

photo courtesy Bergdorf Goodman

That’s right, folks, Clyde had his very own display window at NY’s most elegant and exclusive store, Bergdorf Goodman (or, as Clyde likes to call it, “Birddog’s”) on Fifth Avenue. Right there with an enormous Divine in one window and the giant pink poodle, Fifi, in the main entrance, Clyde’s critters stopped all sidewalk traffic as part of the American Visionary Arts Museum’s summer blockbuster show in the Big City. It was indeed a fabulous site the likes of which NYC has never seen!

When Clyde is home in Bynum he’s always entertaining friends – school groups and art collectors alike - so feel free to stop in and say hello!