20th Annual Chalk the Block to Bring Midsummer Family Fun to St. Joseph This Weekend

St. Joseph, Mich. - Need a summer boredom buster for your family before the back-to-school crunch begins? St. Joseph, Mich., is hosting its 20th Annual Chalk the Block August 4th through 7th.

Sponsored by Cook Nuclear Plant-Indiana Michigan Power, this free event brings in regional artists who create chalk masterpieces downtown on Broad St., between Lake Blvd. and State St.

A featured artist, sponsored by Southwestern Michigan College will be Nate Baranowski from Tampa, Fla. His chalk murals and street art have awed audiences from Illinois to Florida. Festivalgoers can watch Baranowski create an original work in a 7'x15' block at the corner of Broad and State St. To view his portfolio, visit natebaranowski.com.

Various other professional chalk artists are coming in from across the country to participate in this event. Event goers can also vote for their favorite artist renderings in the People's Choice vote.

Tickets will be sold at the St. Joseph Today Welcome Center and the Chalk Tent on Broad St. for one dollar each. One dollar equals one vote towards the favored artist, the artist with the most tickets by the end of the weekend wins the People's Choice Award.

New this year for those interested in learning more about chalk art, a Chalk Artist Workshop will be hosted by The Box Factory on Aug. 5 from 5 to 7 p.m. Behnke said this workshop is perfect for anyone ages 12 and up, "It's a chance to try a New Medium, refine skills and learning something new from a chalk master." The fee for the workshop is $35 and includes materials and admission into the Artist Welcome Reception later that evening.

Chalk art isn't the only sidewalk entertainment planned. City merchants will showcase sales merchandise outside and local organizations will hold special events such as heritage walking tours, a farmers market, Antiques on the Bluff and free, horse-drawn trolley rides around this Victorian-era town.

"This weekend celebrates our very walkable city," said Whitney Behnke, executive director, St. Joseph Today. "Not only can you see awesome chalk art around town, families can easily walk to Whirlpool Compass Fountain, jam to live music or catch a movie outdoors by Lake Michigan. Everything is free."

Behnke said this long weekend also offers a good opportunity to view the city's outdoor art exhibit "Beach Bugs" that showcases gigantic painted caterpillars, ladybugs, snails and bees along downtown streets. She added the St. Joseph riverfront, several Lake Michigan beaches and family friendly attractions are walking distance from the shops and restaurants.

Chalk the Block activities include:

Aug. 4 - Aug. 7

All day - Sidewalk sales

Aug. 5

1 p.m. - Heritage Walking Tour: meet at St. Joseph Today Welcome Center, 301 State St.

5 to 7 p.m. - Chalk Artist Workshop - The Box Factory

6 to 8 p.m. - Chalk Artist Registration: The Box Factory

5 to 8 p.m. - Horse-drawn Trolley Rides: board at Elm and State St.

7:30 p.m. - Friday Night Concert: Past Time at John E.N. Howard Bandshell

Aug. 6

All day - Chalk the Block: Broad St. (starts at 7 a.m.)

9 a.m. to 2 p.m. - Farmers' Market: Lake Bluff Park

4 p.m. - Summer Jam 2016

10 p.m. (dusk) - Summer Movies: Zootopia

Aug. 7

All day - Chalk the Block Viewing: Blocks completed by 10 a.m., judging follows

10 a.m. to 5 p.m. - Antiques on the Bluff

3:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. - St. Joseph Municipal Band: John E. N. Howard Bandshell

Behnke said this year's Chalk the Block sponsors Biggby Coffee, Bound for Freedom, Chan's Garden, Chartreuse Art Co-Op, Freedom Boat Club, Grand Mere Inn, Hilton Garden Inn, Holt Bosse, Jimmy John's Gourmet Sandwiches, The John DeVries Agency, Inc., Krasl Art Center, New Life Church, Nye's Apple Barn, Renaissance Athletic Club, Scooter Joe's Wheel & Water Rentals, Schu's Grill & Bar, Silver Beach Carousel, Silver Beach Pizza, Silver Harbor Brewing Company, Slumberland Furniture, Southwestern Michigan Tourist Council, Southwest Michigan Human Trafficking Task Force, The Buck Burgers & Brew, The Shore Church, The Toy Company, Third Coast Surf Shop, United Way of Southwest Michigan, White Pine Winery, Twelve Corners Vineyards.

St. Joseph Today is a 501(c)(3) membership-based organization dedicated to developing and promoting events and business the city and its surrounding communities. For more information about Chalk the Block or upcoming events, visit stjoetoday.com, facebook.com/stjoetoday or call 269-985-1111.

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