ChathamArts' 10th Annual ClydeFEST Kids' Folk Art Celebration April 16, 2011

April 16 at Bynum Ball Park

ClydeFEST: Folk art celebration with new enviro focus, educational games, music, recycler robot and and fun for all ages!

ChathamArts’ 10th Annual ClydeFEST celebrating legendary folk artist Clyde Jones promises an all-day carnival of memories to last a lifetime for the whole family.

Festivities take place Saturday April 16 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. in Clydeville at the Bynum Ballpark, just around the corner from Jones’ famous backyard full of cedar giraffes, ’gators, deer, rabbits and other chain saw “critters.” Bynum is located off of U.S. 15-501 between Pittsboro and Chapel Hill. For information: 919-542-0394, www.chathamarts.org (Rain date: April 17.)

This time ClydeFEST focuses on environmental education, including Waste Management’s “Cycler,” a “robot” who teaches kids about recycling waste.

The Bynum Front Porch Stage will feature music by the phenomenal Northwood Jazz Ensemble, Sarah “Honeybee” Osborne, an 18-year-old singer-songwriter from Graham. Sharing the stage will be the Bouncing Bulldogs International Rope-Skipping Team, and Happy Dan the Magic Man.

There will be booths, exhibits and activities by Chatham Conservation Partners, Triangle Land Conservancy, the Haw River Assembly, Chatham Beekeepers Association, Bynum Community Garden, Pittsboro Montessori School, Chatham Independent School and Friends of Pittsboro Library.

As always, the kids can play Clyde-themed games, get their faces painted, visit a fortune teller, and make art with Pam Gutlon from Durham’s Outsider Art Gallery and Happy Mess Arts School.

At “Critterville” kids paint and glitter their very own Clyde Jones’ wooden animal cut-outs to take home as souvenirs. Georgia Folk artist, Peter Loose will bring the “Clydemobile” and his gigantic African Tortoises for kids to pet.

Children can also enjoy storytelling by Suzanne Robinson, Mary Lee Moore and Chatham Young Authors and balloon art by Mr. Rainbow.

You won’t go hungry. Food vendors include: Barney’s Hot Dogs, Triple J Ice Cream, Chatham Marketplace, Shot of ’Spro and Daisy Cakes Cupcakes served from their adorable Airstream.

Clyde Jones is best known for the chain-saw “critters” he creates from cedar and found objects. While the self-taught artist’s works have been exhibited all over the world, and are on display all over Bynum, they are not for sale. Jones makes them available for charity auctions, and he’ll create one at ClydeFest to auction off to the highest bidder.

Proceeds will benefit ChathamArts, the nonprofit countywide arts council, which supports arts in the schools and sponsors a range of cultural events and performances throughout the year.

ChathamArts’ ClydeFEST is co-sponsored by Waste Management, Captain John’s Dockside Seafood, Carolina Brewery, Crooks’ Corner, Weaver Street Realty. Partners are Bynum Front Porch, Shakori Hills Grassroots Festival of Music and Dance, and the Town of Pittsboro.

Press contact: For interviews with Clyde Jones, photos and other details contact Molly Matlock, Executive Director, ChathamArts at 919.542-0394, molly.matlock@chathamarts.org