Shakori Hills is great for families! The festival is a rich, interactive experience for children of all ages, with several special activities for kids throughout the weekend.
Near the heart of the festival grounds is the Kid’s Zone. Hands-on art projects, performances, group activities, story telling, face painting, a climbing wall and a Sunday afternoon parade! The kids village is organized by fun and creative festival volunteers. Interested in helping? Volunteer! Also check out our Kids Area Wish List to see if you may have anything lying around that could make the tent more enjoyable.
Exploring the farm is encouraged for older children — parents know they can depend on a nurturing, attentive festival staff and community to keep a watchful eye.
Camping families can choose to settle down in our quiet camping zone, a peaceful cove that is perfect for, well, quiet camping! Ask at the ticket booth when you check in.
Youth tickets (ages 13-15) are available at a reduced price, and kids 12 and under get in free!
Here are some downloadable, printable schedules for Spring 2012:
(coming soon)
Download a schedule for the general activities in the Kids’ Tent
(coming soon)
Spring 2012 Kids & Family Info…
Seedlings & Sprouts
An area especially designed for families with children age 10 and under. This Spring, look forward to the return of Wonderful Worms, poi dance, tie dye, building, parade wings and costumes, hooping and so much more! Come play in the sand pile or grab a make-and-take craft to go. Be sure to check Shakori’s website under “Kids and Families” for updated schedules, activities and wish lists. Kids Tent: Thursday 4:30-7pm; Friday 9am-7pm; Saturday 9am-7pm; Sunday 9am-4pm
Seedlings Play-Time
Alicia leads this special program for the five and under crowd. Join us for interactive hands-on centers, activities and special guests. Seedlings Play Time includes activities like play dough, seaweed painting and tissue stained glass. Check the kids tent schedule for times. Kids Tent, Friday-Sunday 10am-1pm
Family Intro to Drumming
Bring “drums and dancin’ feet!” Led by Bridgitte and Wes of Hillsborough. Thursday, 5:30pm & Kids Drum Circle – Saturday, 4pm
Face Painting – Friday-Sunday 12-5pm
Shakori Bingo – Saturday 5-7pm
Story Jam
Join us as we celebrate the muse, the talker, and the tall tale teller in Story Jam! A variety of story tellers including Casey Nees, Suz Robinson, and many more as they take the stage, sharing stories and tales that will tickle your funny bone, shiver your spine and dance with your spirit! Cabaret Tent, Sunday 12:15pm
Kids’ Arts & Crafts Bazaar
Calling all crafters 15 and under and shoppers of all ages! Spread out your blanket and sell your own hand-made arts and crafts. Check at the Kids Tent for rules and information; set-up will be 30 minutes prior to opening. Details at www.shakorihillsgrassroots.org in the “Kids Area.” Near the Kids Tent, Saturday 3-5pm & Sunday 11am-1pm
Farmer Jason
Farmer Jason, aka Jason Ringenberg, father of three daughters, has built an international fan base for presenting farm-fresh and wholesome family concerts. This spring at Shakori Hills, he’ll be singing the energetic, homespun songs that have made him a favorite in his hometown of Nashville and beyond, including new tunes from his brand new CD Nature Jams (myKaZoo Music/Universal). Cabaret Tent, Saturday 2:30pm & Sunday 11:15am
Jason’s Dream Puppet Show with Elkland Art Center
Jason’s Dream is a show about a young boy’s epiphanous adventure into the depths of the landfill to discover that trash is “stuck! stuck! stuck!” The only way to free the nice trash he meets is to not put it there in the first place. How? Recycle! Reduce! Reuse! Jason comes to an understanding that our stuck habits can be unstuck and that he and audiences everywhere can be a vital part of the solution. Cabaret Tent, Saturday 11:30pm
Roxanna and the Rusty Bucket Band
Formed from members of the Rusty Bucket Kids Television Show, this band out of Apex, NC, makes music that is organic, easy to sing along with and to remember. It’s still important to band members, though, that the songs have meaning and integrity. Come check them out and be ready to dance and sing along! Cabaret Tent, Sunday 2pm
3 Sisters Story & Planting
Meet at the Kids Tent and listen to the Native Tale of the Three Sisters: corn, beans and squash. We’ll learn about how it relates to our world today then venture into the garden to plant this summer’s corn. Meet at Kids Tent Friday 3pm and Sunday 2pm
Kid’s Circus Fundamentals
All skill levels are welcome to learn the circus basics!. We will start with a group warm up and stretch, then move in to the basics of juggling, acrobatics, hooping and clowning. Learn about hand-eye coordination, spatial awareness, creative body expression and audience engagement. Led by Kaci (AcroEntertainment) and Liz (Cirque du Vol). Ages 4+, children under 10 must be accompanied by an adult. Kids Tent, Saturday, 1pm
Mark Herbert & Friends
Mr. Mark is known for his creativity and silly characters such as the Broccoli Brothers Flying Circus and the Rapping Red Oak . This year he will be featuring Perry Smith, co-founder of Mark’s folky funk rock band, the Cosmic Groove Lizards. Perry is a fellow music educator playing a wide variety of instruments. This spring, look for special guests, audience participation puppet pals and a whole lot of surprises… don’t miss the fun! Cabaret Tent, Sunday 10am
Giant Bubble Wands
Join Geoffrey and his team, known for giant bubbles from festivals past and Saxapahaw’s Farmers Market. Make a giant bubble wand and then learn the art and patience of creating these magnificent and temporary beauties. Kids Tent, Saturday 9:30am & Sunday 2:30pm
Kids Hoop Playshop
Join local hoop dancer Jewels (Julia Hartsell) for a get-your-groove-on hooping experience. Jewels will teach basic hoop techniques and movement: how to keep it going! No experience needed. Ages 6 – 12 years. Kids Tent, Friday 4:30pm
Children’s Poi Workshop
Join Albert and Friends and make your own Poi. Then stick around and learn some basic moves with them to music. Poi refers to both a performance art and the tools used for it. Poi are tethered weights swung through a variety of rhythmical and geometrical patterns. Kids Tent, Saturday 10am & Sunday 11:30am
Dream Intention Seeds
It’s spring! Let’s plant some seeds with the most lovely of intentions. Decorate your own pot, put in the dirt and seeds while contemplating and learning about the intentions we plant in every dream we sow. Materials provided so you may take your creation home to remember. Kids Tent, Sunday 1:30pm
Rise and Shine: Kids’ Yoga
Come start the day off by stretching, breathing, flowing and relaxing at this yoga class especially for children (parents are also welcome to join in or watch while drinking coffee). Plenty of songs, games and movement for those kids still working on the wake up, and also time to slow it down and find some peace. No need to bring mats – just come with an open mind and open heart. Cabaret Tent, Friday 10am & Saturday 10am
Toys for Terra
Join us in celebrating Earth Day yet another way, by taking what most people think of as trash and turning it into TOYS! Learn to make the Amazing Oscillating Woodpecker, amaze yourself with the Friction Climber and join in the launching of two-litre water rockets. Plus learn the science of how each of these toys work. Toys for Terra is earth friendly and above all…FUN! For ages 5 and up. Kids Tent, Friday 1:30pm
Compost Theatre
Compost…what??? It’s got you thinking and laughing already. Compost Theatre will dazzle you with skits, songs, dance and puppet friends while you are inspired to become the best composter you can be! Definitely fun for all ages! We dare anyone not smirk, smile and giggle while you learn about nature’s favorite way of recycling. Cabaret Tent, Saturday 1pm
Groovin’ Ballroom Dancing
Aubrey Griffith-Zill, Rhythm Fitness Instructor, teaches this fun, safe, and educational ballroom dance class for families that focuses on the basic fundamentals and benefits of social dancing. We encourage participants to explore and discover their own creativity, while learning beginner dance patterns from popular social dances like: swing, salsa, cha cha, merengue, and more. This is a chance for families to come together and bond while learning how to dance and communicate with each other through the wonderful world of Ballroom dancing. Our program is perfect for all ages and dance levels. Cabaret Tent, Friday, 1:45pm
Spread Your Musical Wings
The Angel Band Foundation will share music education with our youth at Shakori Hills! We will bring together musicians of all ages, experience and instruments to create a magical, musical atmosphere! 45-minute workshops feature: Sing-a-long-song, world instrument introductions, rhythm/percussion experiments and Appalachian folk music. We will stimulate individual growth and group jam sessions. Bring your children and any fun-time instruments they favor to play and share, or use any of our wide variety of instruments. Come Spread Your Musical Wings with The Angel Band Foundation and witness the musicians of tomorrow! Children under 10 at the Kids Tent, Friday 2pm; Ages 10+ at The Outpost, Sunday 11am
Tie-Dye and Retro Crafts with Vic
Join Vic and his helpful crew as we tie-dye and explore some new retro crafts. Contribute your own creative energy to a super large tapestry and make groovy, messy art. For all ages. Kids Tent Saturday 2:30 pm and Sunday 3:30 pm
Treemendous Trees
Join Grand Trees of Chatham to get to know some of the TREEmendous trees here at Shakori Hills! We will create a tree journal out of recycled materials and then head out to meet some of the native trees. We will investigate leaves, bark and habitat, plus we’ll make “rubbings” in our journals! For ages 6 & up. Meet at the Kids Tent, Saturday 3:30pm
Wonderful Worms
Join the Grand Trees of Chatham for a fun morning learning about a tree’s best friend… the earthworm! We will spend some time getting to know these amazing little creatures and discover why worms and trees get along so well. We will create some worm artwork and then release our worms into the wild where they can make friends with the beautiful trees here at Shakori Hills! Open to first 20 participants, ages 5 and under. Meet at the Kids Tent, Friday 10:30am
The Outpost
The Outpost is an area for young people—stop by and see what’s happening! Songwriting workshops, tie-dye making, mural painting, human foozeball & a festival-wide scavenger hunt, board and table games, Open Mic, teen lounge and lots more! You could even learn a thing or two. The Outpost is for people ages 10 to 18. Friday through Sunday, 11am – midnight
Acro Play
Acro yoga open to all skill levels, this class teaches the core poses of partner balancing, emphasizing alignment and correct body position. Class starts with a silly, yet invigorating warm up, and a group stretch. We’ll then move on to basic partner balancing techniques, as Kaci and Liz demo poses with step-by-step instructions. We will learn the safe way to get in and out of poses, proper alignment, and different techniques for spotting others. Wear comfortable, fitted clothes that allow you to work upside-down! Come alone or with a friend; we will work in groups. For ages 10 – 18. The Outpost, Saturday 3:30pm
Scavenger Hunt!
Come and take part in a festival-wide scavenger hunt! We’ll team up and set out to find everything on the most creative list we can come up with. Good idea to bring a backpack or satchel with you. Meet at the Oak by The Outpost, Saturday, 4-7pm
Ranford Almond
At 12 years old Ranford is only beginning to blossom as an artist. He began taking violin lessons at the age of four and taught himself to play guitar somewhere along the way. Ranford plays guitar and provides vocals at his shows playing a blend of old soul songs, original pieces, and covers of his favorites. Cabaret Tent, Friday 12:30pm & The Outpost, Friday 7:30pm
Big Kid Games
Stop in and play a few rounds of Treasure Island, Olka Polka Stolka and a new old version of Human Foozeball. Some big kid favorites! The Outpost, Friday 4-6pm
Make Your Own Tie-Dye
A hands-on, get-messy hour of fun! Join in this playshop, and you’ll be folding and dying your own tie-dye design and color combination like a pro. Shakori Hills will provide the shirts and the dye for a $5 fee to cover the cost—just show up ready to create! Limited to first 20 participants. The Outpost, Saturday 1pm
Improv Workshop
Maya Burgess has been performing for audiences in North Carolina and Virginia with Once Upon a Blueridge Theatre for five years. She has been an actress, stage manager, assistant director and has helped teach drama classes and summer camps. She is 13 years old and plans to make a career in musical theater. Come with a creative spirit, an open mind, and be ready to make a scene! The Outpost, Friday 3pm
Open Mic
Bring your instruments, best voice and your friends and take the center stage! Lakota John hosts with visits from special guests throughout the evening. Open Jam intended for young musicians only. The Outpost, Saturday 8pm
Burn Before Boston
BurnBeforeBoston is a Singer Songwriter from Durham, North Carolina. Growing up all over the world, Kai has grown to love music in its entirety, and hopes to progress it in his own way. Most of his music is New Folk/indie on acoustic guitar, with some electric cello to keep things interesting. He will be accompanied by Will Wofford, an up and coming EDM producer and percussionist. This show will be sure to be full of energy and good spirit. The Outpost, Friday 9pm
Blues Songwriting Workshop
Led by Ira Planer, this workshop is geared for kids and teens. It will focus on a short history of the blues and its influence on modern music, including rap—then teach the basic structure of the music. Participants will leave the workshop with a song they have written and an opportunity to perform it at the Open Mic on Saturday evening. Ira currently works with Burris Amps and Effects Pedals, setting up community outreach programs for the company including Wake County’s first Blues in the Schools program.
The Outpost, Saturday 7pm
HoopJam’s Parade Pep Rally!
Join Jewels & Scott Crews for a hoop & drum jam just before the Parade. Bring your favorite instrument of magic (hoops, poi, drums, flags). Near the Kids Area, Saturday 1:15pm
Elkland Art Center Earth Day Parade
Come along on the magical journey through the festival! Bring your noisemakers and don your snazziest festival garb, and join Elkland Art Center in the Earth Day Parade. Elkland Art Center’s mission is to build community while making art; using art as a means to make the world a better place. Stop by the Kids Tent from 11-1pm beforehand to create wings and parade costumes! Meet at the Kids Area, Saturday 1:30pm