Clucking Blossom is a free all-ages festival in Fairbanks, Alaska that combines art, activism, and music. Its Mission Statement reads: "Clucking Blossom is dedicated to bringing the community together to build new bridges of communication by facilitating an all-ages, grassroots festival of art, music, and ideas. Nothing will be bought or sold at this event. Clucking Blossom is designed and produced by a diverse ad hoc committee whose goal is to seriously rock, and furthermore to generate social awareness and build community in Fairbanks, Alaska." One of the original seeds that created the event was an effort to bring together the talent of bands from under 21 shows and combine them with bands and audiences of local bar venues in a way that featured music but also highlighted local and global issues with an effort to facilitate discussion. Clucking Blossom is a free all-ages event running from noon till midnight with many art inspired events and experiences that engage the viewer such as the interactive art-walk. Games, activities, and all things free (there is usually a Really Really Free Market or freecycle area to take/leave, and in 2011 it was maintained by local Americorps members) are welcome. The festival is free because many volunteers donate their time and there are fundraisers around the year to add to a fund that pays for expenses such as security, port-a-potties, sound equipment rental and the fee to rent the venue.
The first Clucking Blossom was held in May 2005 at the Dog Musher's Hall. Clucking Blossom 2006 was at the Tanana Valley Fairgrounds. Clucking Blossom 2007 took place on May 19 at Birch Hill Ski Center. Clucking Blossom 2008 had the theme "Work It!" and featured sustainable building and energy workshops as well as music and performance. The festival took place May 17 at the Birch Hill Recreation Center. Clucking Blossom 2009 took place May 31 at the Birch Hill Recreation Center. It featured an art walk, and workshops including stress relief for children, yoga, youth activism, and circuit bending. 2011 enjoyed a diverse lineup including "Hallucimoose" from Valdez, "The Fastest Bear" and "The Jeffries" from Anchorage and "Intuition" from Los Angeles. In 2013, Clucking Blossom was held at the Tanana Valley State Fairgrounds and featured "Big Mama Lele and the Juicy Jugs" from Whitehorse, Canada, among many local favorites.
Clucking Blossom, one of Fairbanks' most unique festivals, recharges as it prepares for its final year
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