Get ready to unleash your creativity and turn downtown Ephrata into a spectacular sidewalk art gallery! Chalk the Walk is back for our July First Saturday event, and we can't wait to see Main Street come alive with colorful masterpieces created by artists of all ages.
When Art Meets Community
Mark your calendars for Saturday, July 5th from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. for this FREE community celebration that’s quickly becoming one of our most beloved First Saturday events. Whether you’re 5 or 95, whether you consider yourself an artist or just love to have fun, this event is designed for YOU!
What Makes Chalk the Walk Special?
This isn’t just any sidewalk chalk event. We’re providing professional chalk pastels and blending foam to help you create artwork that will absolutely amaze you. Each artist gets their own 5-foot-by-5-foot concrete canvas to transform, and groups can request expanded spaces up to 5 feet by 20 feet or larger for collaborative creations.
Here’s how it works:
Party on the Plaza: The Perfect Evening Finale
The creativity doesn’t stop when the chalk art is complete! From 4:30 to 8 p.m., join us for our signature Party on the Plaza featuring:
Live Music with Chris Rafter
Singer-songwriter Chris Rafter will take the stage with performances that truly “make you feel.” Drawing inspiration from his Philadelphia and California roots, plus influences like Nirvana, Rafter delivers a compelling blend of covers and original material that creates the perfect soundtrack for an evening downtown.
Food & Beverage Heaven
We’ve assembled an incredible lineup of local favorites:
Retail Vendors:
Why First Saturday Matters
“First Saturday has become a cornerstone of our downtown event programming,” says Joy Ashley, Executive Director of Mainspring of Ephrata. “We love seeing how each themed afternoon event brings different groups of people downtown, and Chalk the Walk promises to be especially exciting as we watch Main Street transform before our eyes.”
These monthly events are part of our broader mission as an accredited Main Street America program to enhance downtown vitality and create meaningful community connections. Each First Saturday brings new energy to our historic downtown, supports local businesses, and showcases why Ephrata is such a special place to live, work, and visit.
Event Guidelines & Tips
To ensure everyone has an amazing experience:
Join the Movement
Ready to be part of something beautiful? Whether you’re planning to create art, vote for your favorites, or simply enjoy the evening festivities, Chalk the Walk represents everything we love about community – creativity, connection, and celebration.
Register today at bit.ly/chalkwalk25 and follow us on social media for behind-the-scenes updates and sneak peeks of the artistic magic happening downtown.Can’t make it to July’s event? Don’t worry! Our First Saturday programming continues throughout the year with different themes and activities. Check out our complete events calendar and discover what makes downtown Ephrata the place to be.
Learn more about all our community initiatives at mainspringofephrata.org and discover how you can get involved in building an even more vibrant Ephrata!