Pittsboro, NC – There is something magical about playing outside as a kid. Getting messy. Enjoying the sunshine. This April, the Chatham Arts Council (CAC) is inviting folks to come create new memories of running free in the fresh air–with their kids at ClydeFEST. Now in its twenty-second year, Chatham’s favorite kids’ folk arts festival is back, complete with all the critters, all the games, and all the paint. On Sunday, April 14, 2024, CAC welcomes kids of all ages to join their neighbors on the east lawn of the Chatham Agriculture and Conference Center for a whole day of screen-free fun.
“Last season, we moved ClydeFEST to the Chatham Ag Center because we wanted the festival to be more accessible, more welcoming to everyone in the county,” remarks Cheryl Chamblee, CAC Artistic Director. “The people of Bynum had been so good to us for so many years, so it was not a move we made lightly. Seeing 2,500 folks out on the Ag Center Lawn–all those families enjoying the music and making art together–we really did feel like it helped us spread the spirit of ClydeFEST in a wider way.”
All the festival favorites return this year–the kids can paint a critter cut-out in Critterville, with no mess for parents to clean up! The hand-made, old-school games will challenge younger kids, while kids large and small will love to hula hoop, blow giant bubbles, and create their own folk art masterpieces at one (or all) of the many community booths scattered across the field.
In addition to all the art-making going on, there will also be plenty of opportunity to experience art through performance. Longtime festival regulars Carolina Lightnin’, Takiri Folclor Latino, Sisters Voices, Diali Cissokho, and the Bouncing Bulldogs will be joined by Deepti Sitar Ensemble, Farmer Eno, Apple Chill Cloggers, Center Theater Company, and The Magic of African Rhythm for a day filled with music and dance.
And because there can never be enough art in an arts festival, for the first time ever, JumpstART artists will join ClydeFEST. The JumpstART program commissions Chatham County artists to make art–from tiny to medium-sized projects–and then to share that art in the public sphere.
“Creativity doesn’t have to cost anything,” explains recent JumpstART artist and musician Taz Halloween. “Some folks get more creative the less they have, but somewhere along the line, artists need money to transfer their ideas into something tangible. Halloween continued, “having a venue provided to display or perform your art, along with other artists, opens new lanes of traffic that may not have been able to find you on that back road.”
For this season’s commissions, CAC challenged local artists to reflect back to us who we were, who we are, and who we want to be here in Chatham. The Locals, on public display for the first time ever, will include commissioned works across various media, all inspired by real Chatham County residents, either past or present. This exhibit will be on display exclusively at ClydeFEST, with generous support from Vose Natural Stone.
And of course, what would ClydeFEST be without food? From famous BLTs to local ice cream, from tacos to boba tea, cakes, pies, and coffee–you’ll be able to satisfy nearly any craving!
Thanks to the support of the festival’s 2024 premier sponsor, Connie Fenner State Farm, ClydeFEST admission is completely free. That includes a wooden critter cut-out that can be painted in Critterville, a kid craft at every booth, and all the fun that has made the festival famous for more than two decades!
Community Booth registration is happening now. Participation is free and open to nonprofits and businesses located in Chatham County. For more details visit bit.ly/ClydeFESTBooths. The deadline to register is March 1.
It takes over 150 volunteers to make the magic of ClydeFEST happen. There are volunteer opportunities for people of all ages and abilities. To learn more and to register visit bit.ly/ClydeFESTVolunteers.
EVENT DETAILS
When: Sunday, April 14 (rain or shine)
Where: Chatham County Agriculture and Conference Center, 1192 US 64 Bus, Pittsboro, NC
Parking: Lots of easy and close parking
Admission: FREE