Project Jericho, Clark State College’s youth outreach program, will present the fifth annual ChalkFest chalk-art festival and contest on Saturday, October 1 at the National Road Commons Park in partnership with National Trail Parks and Recreation District.
“Blue – a Dayton-based artist – will return as the featured chalk artist who will work with Project Jericho youth leading up to the event,” said Lo Houser, director of Project Jericho.
Adelee & Gentry will also return and perform live music, while local food trucks, including Griddles & Cheese, Grandpa’s Doggin It, Kerry’s Café, and Momma T’s will be available. The Springfield Museum of Art will lead a children’s art activity under the big tent.
“ChalkFest has become such a highlight of our year and we hope that is true for our community,” said Houser. “It's such a vibrant afternoon to be outside enjoying both the performing and visual arts. “
Houser said some slight adjustments to the public chalk art competition have been made by adding categories for competitors to enter, as well as a People's Choice award that gives attendees a chance to vote for their favorite piece and engage in the competition.
ChalkFest will also include the annual Project Scare-A-Crow exhibit. This year the theme is “Family Game Night.” The scarecrow installation will be displayed through October 28.
The theme for Project Scare-A-Crow is Family Game Night (tabletop games). Seven families worked with seven local artists to create unique scarecrow installations inspired by their family's favorite tabletop or board game.
The goal for the scarecrow installation is to invoke nostalgia and inspire families and friends to gather around a table for a game night.
"There is something magical about watching multiple families making large-scale art in the same room,” said Kristi Limes, Project Jericho success coordinator. “In one corner, you hear the sewing machine; just outside the doors, you see children and parents stuffing scarecrow bodies; at one table, you see sisters making papier mache, and at another table, a young boy is learning to use a hack saw for the first time.”
ChalkFest will begin at 11:30 a.m., Saturday, October 1, at the National Road Commons Park, 21 Fisher Street (located between West Main Street and West Columbia Street, two blocks west of St. Rt. 72), near the Madonna of the Trail in downtown Springfield. Admission is free. The event is presented by Project Jericho and National Trail Parks and Recreation.
Project Jericho provides in-depth performing and visual arts experiences with a goal to make art accessible to all youth and families in the Clark County community.
Project Jericho is a program of Clark State College supported through funding from the Clark County Department of Job and Family Services, Clark County Juvenile Court, Ohio Arts Council, The Turner Foundation, Community Health Foundation and private contributions.
Chalkfest is additionally supported by Greater Springfield Partnership, The Turner Foundation, Ohio Valley surgical hospital, Partners for the Parks, and Transportation Coordinating Committee.