The Coop Carnival: Entertainment, food, fun for kids, chickens and more

Tour D’Coop day is almost here (Saturday, May 17), and this year we are offering several new events, including our first ever Coop Carnival held outdoors at the Urban Ministries building 1390 Capitol Blvd, Raleigh. What? You’ve never heard of a Coop Carnival?!! Well let me explain…
The first thing you need to know is that with a name like COOP carnival, there’s gonna be chickens and there’s gonna be a coop. Of course. You knew that, right? But what you may not know is the Coop Carnival is where you go to: grab food and refreshments (including local food trucks, craft beer and wine); see a gorgeous, custom coop being raffled off to one lucky winner (don’t forget to buy your raffle tickets at any Tour ticket site); let the kids have a ball with games, activities, a bouncy house, and even a big, red, fire truck. The Carnival is also where you can learn more about the Tour’s beneficiary — Urban Ministries of Wake County — and their local partner agencies, who work tirelessly to make our community a better place to live for both humans and animals (tell them “thanks ya’ll” … they deserve it).
The Carnival kicks off at 10 am and runs until 3 pm. The Tour D’Coop runs an hour longer, until 4 pm, so you’ve got plenty of time to visit the Carnival without missing out on seeing your favorite coops. Start off your morning the healthy way, with an outdoor, group, fitness workout courtesy of Camp Gladiator. At 11 am, cheer on The Bouncing Bulldogs Jump Ropers (team members can perform hundreds of synchronized skills and dances using a combination of single and double dutch jump ropes–amazing!). At noon, take a break from the coops and stretch those tired legs with a gentle, group yoga session with Amanda Cheney, then listen to Carl Dudley, a Shaw University saxophonist as he entertains in a variety of musical styles. Last — but not least — dance, hop and generally go crazy to the rhythms of Ras Ikembay and the Vibez & Rhythms and One Tribe Rhythms Drum Ensembles.
10:00 am Camp Gladiator
11:00 am Bouncing Bulldog Jump Ropers
12:00 pm Yoga with Amanda Cheney
1:00 pm Carl Dudley, Saxophone
2:00 pm Vibez & Rhythms and One Tribe Rhythms Drum Ensembles
After all that, you’ll be ready for some food and drink. Stop by the B’Burritos or Chick-N-Que trucks for the main course. Jas Desserts will be offering up some sinfully great sweet things, or you can “head to the islands” and cool off with Big Island Shaved Ice. For a more adult version of refreshments, Big Boss Brewery and Ararat Wines will be offering a selection of craft beer and wines.
Don’t forget to take a peek inside the Urban Ministries building (if you need enticement, here it is–clean, air-conditioned, bathrooms). Staff members will also be on hand to answer your questions and give tours. Stroll by their new food garden, then check out UM’s non-profit partners and Tour sponsor booths, including Avian and Exotic Animal Care, Curtiss Coops and Yardbarns, Carolina Food Gardens, The Urban Chicken, Bryan Moore Realty Group, SPCA, Humane Society of Wake County, Whole Foods, Interfaith Food Shuttle and so many more! There might even be a few surprises, so now that you know what it is, I hope to “See ya at the Coop!” … Carnival, that is.