ClydeFEST has been a part of my childhood for as long as I can remember.
According to my mom, I first met Clyde Jones—and started going to ClydeFEST—when I was around three years old.
My family has been volunteering as part of ClydeFEST for just as long . You could say it is in our blood!
ClydeFEST is a great way to get together and spend time with family and friends. My earliest memories of volunteering are with my aunt, Debbie Bousquet. She has been a major influence by exposing me to the Chatham Arts Council and, of course, ClydeFEST.
I could not imagine a year without making cut-outs for Critterville—an area of ClydeFEST where children get to pick out a Critter of their own and decorate it to their heart’s content with paint and glitter. Or a year without last minute preparation and set up of the games, tents, and stands—where numerous organizations and causes are available for attendees to learn about their missions.
My favorite moment is always driving onto the Bynum Ball Field in the early morning—with dew still wet on the ground—and getting dropped off at the fence, so I can start bustling about and setting up Critterville. ClydeFEST is something I look forward to participating in every year!
ClydeFEST is a community affair and everyone works so hard to make it as special as possible. Clyde Jones himself is always about, talking to visitors and signing critter cutouts for children. I always stop by to see him and give him a big hug! You should too!
Before I began volunteering, I always loved coming to ClydeFEST with my family and friends. We would make sure to play all the games, decorate a critter, and check out the tortoises! We would also stop by and play with some hula hoops on the baseball diamond—seeing who could keep theirs from falling the longest!
My family and I always love to stop and sit for a while in the music tent, where a selection of musicians perform—my personal favorite artist being Tommy Edwards!
After getting lunch and desserts from the wide selection of vendors, my friends and I like to walk over to the stage to watch the amazing Bouncing Bulldogs.
I have always connected ClydeFEST with getting to see old friends and meet new ones. Its unique and fun atmosphere has forever inspired creativity in me—and in other children.
Come join me. Check out ClydeFEST this year for yourself, and make some memories of your own! The details and the run-down of our performers, food vendors, and community organizations are below.
I’ll be over in Critterville, helping the little kids with their sparkly turtles and rainbow ducks. I hope you’ll stop by, and say hello.
- Go See This:17th Annual ClydeFEST
- When: Saturday, April 6, 11 a.m.–4 p.m.
- Where: Bynum Ball Field (in the mill village of Bynum): 173 Bynum Hill Road, Pittsboro, NC 27312
- What Will This Cost Me?: Kids under 2 are FREE, $5 for ages 3 to 11, $9 for ages 12 and up (Advance tickets available online: https://clydefest2019.brownpapertickets.com/)
- For More Info: ChathamArtsCouncil.org/919-542-0394
- Accessibility: Accessible parking and facilities
- Parking: FREE (overflow) park and ride available via Carolina Brewery. The Sky Blue Express Bus will pick attendees up at the Carolina Brewery in Pittsboro and take them to Bynum. The bus will leave on the half hour from Pittsboro and on the hour from Bynum from 10:30 a.m. until around 4:30 p.m.
- Kids/Pets: Yes, yes, yes to kids! No, no, no to pets. Sorry.
- In Case of Rain: Don’t fret! Sunday, April 7, 12 p.m.–5 p.m.
Awesome performers this year include: folk singer Daniel Ayers, Bouncing Bulldogs, Clapping Hands Ukulele Group, Tommy Edwards/Carolina Lightnin’, puppeteer Jeghetto, Sister’s Voices, and Takiri Dance Troupe.
Some of our booth participants this year include: Bynum Front Porch, Clapping Hands Farm (offering camps), Chatham County Library, Chatham Parks and Recreation, Chatham Pediatric Dentistry, Chatham Sheriff’s Department, CORA, High Strung Violins and Guitars (from Durham), Girl Scouts Troop 1006, Joy of Movement, Tick Warriors, Willow Oak Montessori, and Woods Charter School.
Great food you can expect this year: Crispy Gyoza, Howard Alston, Maple View Ice Cream, and Merry Franksters.
THANKS! to our ClydeFEST-lovin’ sponsors: The Jester Group at Baird; Opus Financial Advisors; Hobbs Architects; R.E. and E.F. Crane Foundation; Carolina Brewery; Dorrie Casey and Archie Purcell; The Bartlett-Dasher and Vega Families in memory of artist and one-time Chatham resident, Enrique Vega; Briar Chapel Friends and Neighbors; Chatham Park; Cheek Electric; Deep River Mercantile; Monteith; John and Elizabeth Bonitz; gh designs; Chatham Homes Realty; Rosemary House/Kindred Folk Art Gallery; 97.9 The Hill WCHL and Chapelboro.com; Bynum Front Porch; the Olinger Family; Penguin Place; and Sanford Contractors, Inc.
About the blogger: Virginia is from Pittsboro and currently lives at Wards Hollow, between Bynum and Fearrington. She is a homeschooled high schooler who loves the arts, rock climbing, and the outdoors.
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