Celebrate Chalk Art at this Shore-Town Festival

The charming Lake Erie shore town of Vermilion is colorful all on its own, but each July, the downtown’s Victory Park comes to life with vibrant artwork showcasing the most temporary of artistic materials: chalk.

Since 2015, the annual Chalk It Up! event has drawn attendees eager to witness and participate in the art showcase. (This year’s event is set for July 27 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.)

Kids and their families can try their hand at the Chalk-A-Square activity that lets them create their own sidewalk masterpiece during the event. More polished chalk creators can register to participate as a Chalk It Up! artist. Pieces can be made in advance or on-site during the day of the event, so those in attendance can view the artistic process firsthand. The festival supplies registrants with all the necessary materials.

“I love the lake. I’m happy to be here, and I think that is my main inspiration,” says Krystyne Waldorf, a member of the Vermilion Arts Guild who takes part as a Chalk It Up! artist. “Every sunset that I see, every sunrise, every storm that hits that lake inspires me in so many ways.”

Works by Chalk It Up! artists are displayed in the festival gallery, where attendees can vote for their favorites for a small donation. (The pieces are then displayed at the Ritter Public Library and and at city hall through August.) Waldorf says working alongside other artists has helped her learn new tricks for creating with chalk.

“I am head to toe [in] chalk when we’re done. I am a messy artist, but it’s fun,” Waldorf says. “People come and look at what you are doing. It inspires them to get involved with the art.”

641 Main St., Vermilion 44089, mainstreetvermilion.org/chalk