With a record-setting 17,000 visitors last year, this year’s 5th Annual Chalk Walk – in its new location at Centennial Park in downtown Round Rock – is expected to be even bigger and better. Chalk Walk is Round Rock Arts Council’s annual arts and music festival, which will take place October 3-4, 2014. The family-friendly event is FREE and open to the public, and will be host to an array of art activities for all ages, including musical performances on multiple stages, food vendors, area businesses, and artists. As a special feature, come see professional fine artists create their works before your eyes on the streets of downtown Round Rock. Or, buy a square of asphalt for the weekend as an individual, family or just for your kids, and create your own masterpieces!

On Friday night, we will present an evening of “Blues Night” with delicious barbeque and live music from Texas great John Blondell (who has performed with the likes of Buddy Guy, Carlos Santana, Willie Nelson and countless others) on our main stage. Artists will already be starting their artwork along the streets of the festival grounds that afternoon, so come stroll and interact with the artists! The evening will also include a VIP reception for the event’s generous sponsors.

On Saturday, The Atlantics and The Biscuit Brothers will be the featured artists on the main stage. The day’s festivities will include chalk artists, local musicians on three stages, visual artists, crafters, food trucks, jugglers, pony rides, a petting zoo, a train, street performers, and special activity areas for children and families. There will also be a performance by Round Rock Ballet Folklorico and activities inside of the Allen R. Baca Center for Senior and Community Activities.

Special activity partnerships this year will include the first annual donut-eating contest, pitting the Round Rock Police Department against the Round Rock Fire Department, with donuts provided by Round Rock Donuts. The Art Institute of Austin, as well as Round Rock ISD art, music, and dance departments will contribute arts-related programming

To close out the festival, there will be a Saturday Art Auction, to which selected artists, school art programs, teachers, individuals and businesses will submit a work of chalk art (created during the festival on ampersand boards) to be auctioned off for art program funding. Each item will judged and has a chance to win a cash award! Festival attendees are invited to start placing their bids at 6:00 PM on Saturday.