Thank you Chatham for making ClydeFEST magic yet again

By Molly Matlock
Posted Sunday, May 3, 2009

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Bynum, NC - "You can go to any city in America and find arts creating vitality in every neighborhood. Arts and culture is the genesis of the revitalization of communities."
--Tom Murphy, Mayor of Pittsburgh

Mayor Murphy's statement rang powerfully true last Saturday at the Chatham Arts Council's ClydeFEST in Bynum. If you missed it, visit chathamarts.org so that you will have ClydeFEST on your calendar for next year, April 2010!

There wasn't an attendee, a volunteer, an artist, a food vendor, a neighbor, or Chatham citizen in sight who didn't make this event pure magic. In fact, the community spirit and collaboration is the magic. Clyde Jones was knocking on Bynum neighbors' doors at 7 am the next morning exclaiming his excitement about the event and the coverage it received.

Now that the colorful tents are down and the Baron von Rumblebuss and all of the other sweets and treats have rolled out of town, we're feeling some post-event blues. Memories of all the fun we had, that our children had, and the many things that transpired between collaborators are all that remains.

BUT we know that where we live, fun abounds all the time. We are lucky to live in a place that already boasts so much energy and engagement. Thank you to everyone at ClydeFEST for the hours in the sun and for the many more hours of planning and coordinating before the event. You are our community support system and vitality.