First Saturday – Chalk the Walk

Gather your friends, family, groups, or just fly solo and sign up to participate in this exciting event. Mainspring will provide the pastels and blending foam, so all you need to bring is your creativity and enthusiasm. Stop by the Whistle Stop Plaza at 16 E. Main Street to register, pick up your chalk, and receive your designated 5′ x 5′ space. Feeling ambitious? Don’t be shy! While each space is 5′ x 5′, groups can snag a larger section – think 5′ x 20′ or more! Just let us know when you register so we can plan accordingly.

But wait, there’s more! We know some of you might be aiming for a masterpiece, not just a doodle. So, for those who want to take their creations to the next level, here are some fool-proof tips to make your sidewalk art stand out:

1. Plan Your Masterpiece: Find a photo reference – it can be clipart, a picture, or even your own drawing – of whatever you want to create.
2. Grid It Out: Before you print it, use a program or even a simple pencil to add a grid on top of your reference photo. This grid will be your guide to recreating the image proportionally on the pavement.
3. Size Matters: Decide how big you want your artwork to be. This will help you determine the size of your grid squares. Remember, the larger the artwork, the more important the grid becomes for keeping things proportional.
4. Grid on the Ground: Once you have your pre-gridded reference photo, use a yardstick or a chalk line tool to create the same grid on your assigned sidewalk space.
5. Let’s Get Drawing!: Now comes the fun part! Follow your reference photo, square by square, recreating your masterpiece on the concrete canvas. Don’t forget to outline, add color, and even some shading for a 3D effect!
   Pro Tip: Think about adding details that play with the street environment. Draw shadows of leaves, bugs, or maybe even a dropped ice cream cone (careful, that might attract real ants!).

Don’t forget to register! We need to know how many Sidewalk Picassos will be joining us to make sure we have enough supplies (first come, first served!). Finally, completing your design by 4:30 PM is key – attendees at the Party on the Plaza event will be strolling the streets between 4:30 and 6:30 PM, voting for their favorite creations! Winners will be announced at 7:00 PM at the Whistle Stop Plaza.

So, what are you waiting for? Grab your friends, family, and your most colorful ideas, and join us for a fun-filled day of creativity and community spirit! It’s the perfect way to extend that 4th of July weekend celebration with a vibrant burst of artistic expression. See you there!

NOTE: Political statements, offensive language, and inappropriate images are strictly prohibited. Mainspring of Ephrata reserves the right to make the final decisions regarding these guidelines.