The sidewalks of Rhinelander will be more colorful this weekend.
Downtown Rhinelander is holding its annual Chalkfest. The event has grown over the last four years.
It started out as something to go along with the city’s block party and grew from there.
Chalk artists locally and from all over the state come to create people pieces of artwork on the sidewalks along davenport street.
Because of the positive response to the event, Chalkfest Co-Chair Audrey Thurn said they didn’t want to lose the event entirely this year.
“It’s brining people to our area, so heads in beds kind of thing for tourism,” said Thurn. “But it’s also educating the Rhinelander area about all the different art mediums that there are and that we also have very local, talented folks in amongst our community.”
This year will be set up a bit differently. It’s not coinciding with the block party.
Chalkfest will be done over three days. Artists will still only get one day to work on their art, but this way they won’t be working right next to one another.
Thurn says participants don’t need to be wearing masks while doing the work but should bring one if they’re going to interact with others or want to go into any shops. She’s also working to set up a way for people to view the chalk art without actually coming downtown.
“We’re also going to have a people’s choice. I’m working on, this week I’m trying to work on doing it virtually so people can look on the Facebook page and still vote versus coming downtown,” said Thurn.
People can register ahead for time or day of. Slots are first come first serve.
You can register online through an Eventbrite page.
The Chalkfest starts Friday and goes through Sunday.
