Chalk the Walk Festival

We all need some more positivity in our lives right now. On Saturday, August 15, (rain date August 16) we’re inviting you to take part in a city-wide Chalk the Walk Festival to spread joy across Rochester. This effort will include pavement poetry and sidewalk art done by neighbors, as well as professionals.

We’d love to see and share your work once your sidewalk is chalked. You can email us your photos or post them on social media #RochChalktheWalk.

Partners in this city-wide Chalk the Walk Festival include the City of Rochester, the Southeastern Minnesota Poets, and RNeighbors. The opportunity is funded through Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act, originating from the federal government and allocated to the City of Rochester by the State of Minnesota. More about these funds here.

Chalk Distribution Sites
Chalk, free of charge, can be picked up at community sites during their regular business hours, August 13-15.

125 Live
Thursday-Friday, 5:30 am-8 pm and Saturday 10 am-4 pm
125 Elton Hills Drive NW
Family Service Rochester North
Thursday, 8 am-5 pm and Friday, 8 am-3 pm
4600 18th Ave. NW
Family Service Rochester South
Thursday and Friday, 9 am-3 pm
1625 Hwy 14 East
Rochester Public Library walk-up table for curbside service
Thursday – Saturday, 10 am-6 pm
101 2nd St SE
Boys & Girls Club of Rochester
Thursday and Friday, 9 am-4 pm
1026 E Center St
Gallery 24
Thursday 12-9 pm, Friday 12-6 pm, Saturday 10 am-4 pm
611 N Broadway Ave

In addition to the public chalking their sidewalks, this event will provide opportunities for artists whose livelihoods have been impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic to create colorful art throughout Rochester. Artists applications can be found here.

Join our Chalk the Walk facebook event and the Be the Healing facebook event to stay in touch with this community-wide effort to spread joy and color across Rochester.

Have a comment? Join us on Facebook!