EL PASO, Texas (KTSM) — The community favorite, Chalk the Block, is coming back to the Borderland this weekend.
Chalk the Block runs from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 11, and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Sunday, Oct. 12, at the Downtown Arts District. Chalk Art Awards will be announced at 1 p.m. on Sunday.
Now in its 18th year, the festival showcases El Paso’s artistic talent, including chalk artists, muralists, musicians, and artisan vendors, according to the City of El Paso.
“Chalk the Block is a celebration of El Paso’s creativity,” City of El Paso Quality of Life Managing Director Ben Fyffe said. “From the visual artists creating original works to the musicians featured on our performance stages to the artisans starting small businesses at our Market, we are proud to uplift our local creative community on this massive scale. We are equally proud to provide these high-quality arts experiences to El Pasoans and visitors through Chalk the Block, all for free.”
The festival is also expanding all-abilities and sensory opportunities for visitors.
Each day of the festival will begin with Quiet Hours from 10 a.m. to noon, which will include a lower-sensory festival environment (as possible in outdoor spaces) and a variety of indoor and outdoor activities. Sensory kits are available at the El Paso Museum of History and Mexican American Cultural Center, the City said.
In addition, attendees will be able to celebrate the importance of silliness and joy with Caroline Kamm’s giant banana sculpture.
“Inspired by the online use of the banana as a universal measuring stick, the installation plays with the size and visuals of large-scale events. The giant inflatable measures 40ft long by 18ft tall and is called Pequeña,” read a Facebook post by Chalk the Block.
Chalk the Block is a collaborative effort by the City of El Paso Museums and Cultural Affairs Department and the El Paso Community Foundation, presented by Raiz Federal Credit Union.
For a full list of scheduled events and general information on Chalk the Block, visit here.
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