Wausau Chalkfest

The Wausau Chalkfest is an annual tradition in Wausau, Wisconsin, transforming the sidewalks of the city square into a collection of chalk drawings.

Anyone can register to reserve a section of the sidewalk, and there were dozens drawing when we visited Wausau last weekend.

We were there primarily for the hot air balloon rally in Wausau, but on seeing the signs for chalkfest, we paid a couple of visits to the city square in downtown Wausau.

Cap'n Jack

This artist chose to draw Cap’n Jack, as played by Johnny Depp, from Pirates of the Caribbean. Each artist is given a set of pastel chalks, which they use to create their art on the sidewalk.

Artists have all day on Saturday to complete their artwork, with judging taking place on Sunday.

We visited chalkfest twice – once early in the morning as the artists were beginning, and again later in the day where a lot of progress could be seen. Many of the artists have a lot of experience in doing chalk drawings, and it shows in the preparations they make.

Wonder Woman in Chalk

Most of the artists plan their drawings ahead of time, bringing elaborate drawings that they work from.

You can see an example of that in this drawing of Wonder Woman (still in progress). The drawing that the artist is working from is taped to the sidewalk, and serves as a guide for the artist.

Peering over the shoulders of the artists as they make their works of art on the sidewalk was fascinating, and made for a great, however unexpected, sidetrip on our intended trip to see the hot air balloons.

For additional pictures of the Wausau Chalkfest, click here. And to see where these pictures were taken, click here: