By Amy Zapal
Need a summer boredom buster for your family before the back-to-school crunch begins? St. Joseph is hosting its 22nd Annual Chalk the Block Aug. 3 – Aug. 5.
Sponsored by North Pier Brewing Co. and Fit 4 Fall 5K Underwritten by LECO Corporation, this free event brings in regional artists who create chalk masterpieces downtown on Broad St., between Lake Blvd. and State St. Various other professional chalk artists are coming in from across the country to participate in this event. Event goers can also vote for their favorite artist renderings in the People’s Choice vote. Tickets will be sold at the People’s Choice Tent on Broad St. for one dollar each from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Saturday and 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sunday. One dollar equals one vote towards the favored artist; the artist with the most tickets by the end of the weekend wins the People’s Choice Award.
Chalk art isn’t the only entertainment planned. Additional weekend activities include lighthouse and heritage walking tours, a farmers market, antiques on the bluff, Friday and Sunday concerts, and free horse-drawn trolley rides around this Victorian-era downtown.
New this year, St. Joseph Today and North Pier Brewing have collaborated for a special beer release. “Chalk the Beer can be found on tap at North Pier Brewing starting July 19,” said Amy Zapal, executive director, St. Joseph Today. “It’s a peach and pineapple beer that tastes like summer! There is a limited supply so make sure you get a pint while supplies last.”
Zapal said in addition to North Pier Brewing and Fit 4 Fall 5K Underwritten by LECO Corporation, event sponsors include Cook Nuclear Indiana Michigan Power and the Paul and Rose Suchovsky Charitable Trust.
Event attendees are encouraged to celebrate the beauty of St. Joseph throughout Chalk the Block weekend. “Not only can you see awesome chalk art around town, folks can shop at beautiful boutiques and stores, walk to Whirlpool Compass Fountain and downtown beaches, jam to live music or catch a movie outdoors by Lake Michigan.” Zapal said this long weekend also offers a good opportunity to view the city’s outdoor art exhibit, “The Magical Kingdom of St. Joseph” that showcases knights, dragons and castles along downtown streets.
Chalk the Block activities include:
Aug. 3
11 a.m. to 2 p.m. St. Joe Lighthouse Open Hours
5 p.m. to 8 p.m. Horse-Drawn Trolley Rides: board at Elm and State St.
7:30 p.m. Friday Night Concert: Jack Adams: John E.N. Howard Bandshell
Aug. 4
All day Chalk the Block: Broad St.
9 a.m. to 2 p.m. St. Joe Farmers Market: Lake Bluff Park
11 a.m. to 2 p.m. St. Joe Lighthouse Open Hours
11 a.m. to 8 p.m. People’s Choice Voting Open
4 p.m. Summer Jam 2018: Shadowland Pavilion
10 p.m. (dusk) Summer Movies: Hugo
Aug. 5
All day Chalk the Block Viewing: Blocks completed by mid-afternoon, judging follows
10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Antiques on the Bluff: Lake Bluff Park
9 a.m. to 4 p.m. People’s Choice Voting Open
3:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. St. Joseph Municipal Band: John E.N. Howard Bandshell
