ChathamArts Official ClydeFEST 2009!

by York WIlson

ClydeFEST, in its 8th year, is ChathamArts’s premier spring event. The festival brings kids young and old together to celebrate the life and work of the world-renowned Outsider Folk Artist and Critter Master Clyde Jones of Bynum, NC.  For many years Clyde has charmed and delighted his many admirers from all over the world as he unleashes his fantastic “Critters” from cedar logs using only his trusty Stihl chainsaw, a few big nails and the odd plastic flower or old shoe.

by Geo deSocio

ClydeFEST is ChathamArts’ big chance to expand on Clyde’s motto, “It’s all about the children”, by creating a wholesome family fun day that features clever games, whimsical art, yummy eats, and good time music and entertainment.

by River Dukes

ClydeFEST 2008 experienced a homecoming of sorts. For the first time since the festival’s inception it was held at the Bynum Ball Field, hardly a stone’s throw from the artist’s residence. It was welcomed ‘home’ with a host of newly crafted Critter-inspired games that accented the down-home country feel of the whole affair. There was fabulous food and music, face painting, a teen-age magician, Ubi the Clown, story telling and even hula hoopin’. There were also plenty of Clyde’s famous cut-outs of penguins, ducks and turtles for the kids to paint.

by Jamie Hager

The highlight of the event was getting to watch Clyde the Critter Master himself ply his trade. As he starts into a pile of cedar with his chainsaw, everyone’s watchin’, all the while wonderin’, “What will it be?”! Now the truth is, it’s hard to say ‘til he gets done, but what we can tell ya is that afterwards the Critter he creates was auctioned off on the spot to benefit ChathamArts initiatives and programs. Something else we can tell ya is that judging by all the smiles we saw everyone most certainly had a whole mess of fun!

by Jamie Hager

Looking to improve on what many had said was the ‘BestFEST’ yet ClydeFEST 2009, scheduled for Saturday, April 25th, is shaping up to be a Doosie. We’re adding several amazing new games including our own Clyde inspired version of Tic-Tac-Toe which features of all things - Tire Flowers!

The good folks from Bynum Front Porch have been working tirelessly to line up entertainment for the ‘Big Stage’. Several acts confirmed that are brand new to ClydeFEST are GirlsROCK! NC, (www.girlsrocknc.org),  Jammin’ Baby, (www.jamminbaby.com), Happy Dan the Magic Man, (www.happydanmagic.com), and  Baron Von Rumblebuss, (www.rumblebuss.com). Word is that the Baron is as excited about ClydeFEST as we are and is planning to turn loose a big batch of fun new tunes.

by Geo deSocio

And speaking of ‘big batches’ we’re super pleased and proud to tell ya that the fine folks from Immaculate Baking Co., (www.immaculatebaking.com), will be joining us with plans to bake delicious Clyde Critter shaped cookies with the kids.

by Diane Swan

Another exciting new addition to the ClydeFEST family is the NC Botanical Gardens, (www.ncbg.unc.edu), who will be promoting the new Children’s Garden they have in the works with an activity that will feature insectivorous plants! (You’ll have to come on April 25 to see what that means!) 

And one other something you should know about is that one of Clyde’s best buds and fellow Folk Artist, Peter Loose, (www.peterloose.com), will definitely be there at ClydeFEST again this year. Peter has got designs on, amongst other things, an Inter-active mural. And for those of you who would remember from last year he also figures to bring along his two little turtle friends which, er…well aren’t so little anymore!

Now in addition to all of that excitement we’re happy to report that the Children’s Gallery featuring Clyde Inspired artwork from local schools is coming together really well (oh yeah it is!). And we already have some Local Artist Volunteers committed to creating fun art activities for the kids. One such artist is Sue Szary from the NC Arts Incubator in Siler City, (www.ncartsincubator.com). Sue will be teaching kids about wool and spinning using wool from her very own sheep.

And if that ain’t enough to whet yer appetite we should tell ya that brining us yummy eats we’ll have Maple View Farms, (www.mapleviewfarm.com), joining our old friends from The BBQ Joint, Barney’s Dogs and Chatham Marketplace, (www.chathammarketplace.coop).

Last but not least for all you fine folks who will be needing a little help on how to get to ClydeFEST you can get driving directions from Chapel Hill and Pittsboro. There’s also a map and information on available parking.

So, there ya go. That’s the latest on ClydeFEST 2009. Be sure to check back as we get closer to the date for more details on all the who’s, what’s and where’s of what exactly will be going down.