Every year Labor Day weekend Chalk it up festival occurs & usually it is 100 plus degrees. This past weekend it was crazy hot so we chose to come in the morning although we prefer to see the chalk art later in the afternoon on Monday when most of the masterpieces are complete & you can vote as well. This free festival has grown considerably. There are crafts, food trucks, live music & interactive art activities for all ages. It was their 35th year too! Parking is very tough as it's mainly street parking. They encouraged using the free RT rides. They announced the winners late yesterday but no pictures. I did capture a couple of the winners but not the first place. I wasn't willing to take pics of those that had shade onto the picture. Go figure it's raining today due to the monsoonal moisture from the south. So much for rechecking! Bc of the parking situation & it's quite crowded I would not give it five stars. But it is a cool event to enjoy art via chalk like chalk murals. read more

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Chalk it up! Was a fun event. My friends and I decided to go late Monday night to enjoy the artwork. I really liked the art. The artists were very talented and offered such unique art. The vendors were super nice and had a ton of fun items such as crochet animals, food, and clothing. I will definitely stop by again next year to see the artwork. read more

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Chalk it up is such a fun event in Sacramento at Fremont Park. Tons of artists come to decorate the sidewalk with their art (chalk art of course), there's also lots of small businesses, food and drink vendors, and live music. It's a very fun event for all ages. Parking is the worst part of this event as you will have to park far and walk which isn't a big deal but it also is during summer so please be prepared with water, fans, hats etc. especially if you are bringing kids or dogs. read more

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Chalk it up! is a wonderful annual event. Chalk it Up! Org provides grants to local artists, school programs, and nonprofits to encourage young artists. Artists cover to he sidewalks around Fremont park with wonderful chalk art. There are vendors, food, a a beer garden and great local live music. Fremont park is walkable from the 16th st station, no need to search for parking. It's typical warm Labor Day weekend so the beer garden is particularly inviting. If you are from Sac you'll run into someone you haven't seen in awhile. The chalk art is just great. There is chalk available for the kids to participate too. This is one of the events I make a point to go every year. Go for the Chalk art, stay for a beer and music. read more

This annual event is such a fun way to enjoy Labor Day weekend and see local art. The Calk It Up Festival is Saturday-Monday and artists work on their pieces throughout the weekend. Typically most will be finished Sunday or Monday and the biggest crowds tend to be later in the weekend. I suggest parking further away and walking to Fremont Park, but there are some parking garages within walking distance and some street parking. The festival is free to the public and they have local vendors, food trucks, artists, a playground, dog water station and more. There are also a lot of restaurants and businesses within walking distance. The festival is kid friendly and dog friendly, but it does look harder to navigate with strollers. A lot of the art is viewable from right off the sidewalk and parents pushing strollers had to be a bit more careful. Local businesses sponsored a lot of the artwork and you can see the different businesses that got involved as you walk around. The chalk art varies from artist to artist and some pull from pop culture while others are very unique pieces the artists create. The art stays up after the festival, but does start to wear out after a few days. read more

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This is a very cool event that we really enjoyed as a little family outing. There is a good number of vendors & food trucks, live music, all surrounded by chalk artists and their art! The work was impressive, fun, whimsical, and vibrant! It was neat to see the diversity of the artists, their styles, and their different techniques. Depending on when you go, you will see works in progress to finished pieces. Sometimes it's slow goings following the crowd around the periphery to see everything and get a good view, and you have to watch your footing along the park ground and around trees. It was a very pleasant and delightful way to spend some time. We would be happy to return next year. read more

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Annual Labor Day weekend event! So fun for the family or just to stop by! The average time spent is about 1-2 hours. (Walkable areas at Fremont Park are mostly in the shade) Located in the heart of downtown; P & 15th. You'll find plenty of neighboring bars and restaurants. So many talented, in action, artists sharing their creative pieces and a variety of vendors! There were so many unique sellers this year-----stuffed animals, 3D printed knick knacks, books, journals, & more! If you've never been, definitely worth checking out this free event. Otherwise, always something new for returning attendees. read more

Walked here from the midtown farmers market. Come early to beat the heat. Well organized with lots to do for all ages. Bring your dog and or family and enjoy the local vibe. Lots of food trucks, crafts, and beautiful chalk art. Monday is the best day to come to see the final artwork. I'll come back early next week when the festival is over to see art when crowds are gone. Enjoy! read more

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ART FUN! I love Chalk It Up! This is such a unique event that offers art in the fun and unusual form of chalk! These ephemeral pieces are only available for the three-day weekend of the event. They are all along the perimeter of the event. Each year they have a fantastic lineup of musicians from all around the area. You can watch right in front on the grass or chill in the beer garden. They have icee vendors and food vendors as well as booths put on by places like the Sacramento Zoo or local companies. Whether you experience this as a chalk artist, musician, or city dweller, this event is not to be missed! Well worth it. If you want to see the artwork in progress come on day 1 or day 2. If you want to see the artwork finished day 3 is a must! ENJOY! read more

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Pretty cool free community event. Artists of a wide range of ages create chalk art pieces on the sidewalk that makes up the perimeter of Fremont Park. Today (Labor Day) is the last day of the festival (with the food/clothes vendors and all) but I'm pretty sure that the artwork will remain viewable at the park for a while. I loved seeing some of the work being made in progress. There's a designated parking garage but little did I know that it's a $10 card-only flat fee as opposed to normal hourly rates at this particular garage (no specific parking info on the official site). While driving away from the event I saw a bunch of street parking available not really close but still at a walkable distance. read more

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September 3, 2023 about nine o clock am Update of any comments try one thousand two hundred eighty one! I understand why in year 2020 was not the event! Did not seem be the event year 2022 either, I may be wrong, but I do not see any reviews on it at all for year 2022, I do not see any pictures on it at all for year 2022! Well, this year took the chance! Yes there is the event this year! I am again Square Number Thirteen! When arrived maybe 8:11 a.m., it was rainy, but yes, I am doing my image for the sponsor! Of course Sac Anime is also September 1, 2023 to September 4, 2023 and Chalk It Up is September 2, 2023 to September 4, 2023, so yes, the hotel is very crowded! Since will just get more dirty all three days anyway, I been for many years, wearing same shirt and wearing same pants, knee pads underneath the pants, all three days! Okay, have not yet walk around to see all the images, all the artwork! Many artists in the three days cannot, as they all busy trying paint their masterpieces! I did see masterpieces on my row, wow, as always, quite beautiful masterpiece chalk paintings! Beautiful masterpiece images! Actually the rain enhanced my what I have of my masterpiece, I thought may have to start over, all I had to redo if redo is right word, I put name of Sponsor, words Opened (date they opened this year) then will continue with remainder of the masterpiece! read more

New go to on Labor Day weekend.Liking Sacramento better.The music is just really good..Found out this is the place to hear live music on Labor Day Holiday. Art being created is great too. The grandkids were able to create their own chalk art Liked watching the artists create .Cost of the festival is Free .Food trucks were good ones.Beer garden was decent Scored a vintage Sturgis t, Motorcycle jacket and boots from a booth from the red + pink shop by the music. read more

Chalk It Up! - Community Service/Non-Profit Near Me - Sacramento, California

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Calling all art enthusiasts and foodie fans, you don't want to miss this year's 2019 festival, it's free, they have lots of inspiring youth singing and creating, vendors, food trucks and live music! This morning my boyfriend and I braced the heat and came when the event opened about 10 a.m. and enjoyed getting to experience the local youth sidewalk chalk art, so many vibrant colors used and you could see all the hard work they put into each piece! Tho we got there when they just started, I'm sure their are many more chalk art to experience as the event continues. I ordered the Alegria Smoothie from the Gaspachos booth, it's amazingly flavorful and both the mango and pineapple is fresh, all natural and has no sugar added! I'll definitely have to check out their shop here in Sacramento, their Flower Mango looked beautiful and would make a great gift! From the Bloom Mobile Boutique, I found a purrfect card for my sister and enjoyed browsing each booth we came across, especially the hippy style ones! For live music they had Girls Rock Sacramento, a local group of girls from a non-profit organization who take girls to camp to learn how to sing or play an instrument, they were good! The local West Coast Irish Punk Band, The Pikeys played on stage as well, what an awesome Celtic band with some pipes on them! Come support our youth this Labor Day Weekend and check out this years Chalk it up Festival! read more

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It's back! One of the more original and looked-forward-to events of the year is back in 2021, COVID be damned. It's great to see people out in droves at an event that was previously something we looked forward to attending every year but, like almost everything, was waylaid by the pandemic. Even if it were COVID times, you wouldn't know it. People were crowded around the exterior of this relatively small centralized park moving in a slow line as they checked out all the incredible chalk art. When I say it is all incredible, it really is. Every mini-masterpiece has a story behind it and a sponsor, no matter the artistic level of the artist. More importantly, it all goes to help promote and support Youth Arts by offering small grants to K-12 classrooms. As an added bonus, some of the art really is just incredible on its own terms. The center of the park was devoted to a ton of food stands and other types of vendors. The organizers did a really great job of bringing together an eclectic group of offerings. I can't wait to come back and check it out again with family and friends next year! read more

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Another great event this year which is the standard. We try to go every year and did make it again this last month. Its unique and just fun to see all the talented efforts on display. Parking can be a bit tough, at least to get close at the busy times, but certainly manageable. Its a nice family event and recommend whole heartedly. read more

It's that time a year again for Sacramento Chalk It Up FREE music and Arts Festival. What a beautiful day to get out and hear free music, food truck, vendors and beautiful chalk art. This event is located at Fremont Park with lots of fun for the entire family. They have a park structure for children to play and a designated area for any kids to show off their art creations. There is a beer and wine area for adults and this event is dog friendly. Bring the family down and enjoy this free event. Parking can be a challenge so why not rent a jump bike and peddle in. read more

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This was our first time attending the event. My husband and I were in town for the weekend, shopping and dining, and of course I looked on YELP events for the area and Chalk it Up popped up. We have been to Freemont Park before for other events and love the area so we decided to head over after shopping was done. This event is organized very well and I highly recommend attending to ART lovers or anyone wanting to eat at a great food truck or hear excellent music in the park on a beautiful Sunday afternoon. We will definitely return in 2019. We were quite impressed with the talent represented. Who knew such beauty could be created from chalk?! The variety of non-profits, individuals, local businesses, old and young, represented on the sidewalk surrounding the park is phenomenal. Thank you for not preventing us from taking pictures. I had to share pictures on my Instagram page! Parking: we parked on the street about one block away and parking was free. read more

Chalk It Up! - Community Service/Non-Profit Near Me - Sacramento, California

UPDATE: Labor Day Weekend 2017's "Chalk It Up!" Was Off The Hook! https://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/chalk-it-up-sacramento?select=BiT4pTurm8NVmsvU0qSP2g&userid=3mNz5nQFTIBQm0oU5mBR0w SITREP In spite of the triple digit, near 110 degree heat forecast for the entire weekend - and pretty much met on Sat Day 1 and Sun Day 2 - the masses of people who appreciate chalk art came out in full force - especially on Mon Labor Day 3 - to gawk, to giggle, to point, and to "awwwe" at the site of 2 year old little girls doing their own chalk art. https://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/chalk-it-up-sacramento?select=zlIwJbDkrR5c7c-FOn0YAQ&userid=3mNz5nQFTIBQm0oU5mBR0w THE SETUP Props to Jerry Perry and his production team for putting together such a vast array of vendors and assemble them for this exciting festival! * From Food Trucks https://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/chalk-it-up-sacramento?select=HeCY9YbXG0IEOd1NsOtcFw&userid=3mNz5nQFTIBQm0oU5mBR0w * To Bands https://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/chalk-it-up-sacramento?select=3rqaat-yT4q5ejGH_T0hZQ&userid=3mNz5nQFTIBQm0oU5mBR0w * From Famous Local Historians (I see you, Yelper William B.!) https://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/chalk-it-up-sacramento?select=yu2qAdxloIDsbKf5wS2d-g&userid=3mNz5nQFTIBQm0oU5mBR0w * To merchants of all kinds https://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/chalk-it-up-sacramento?select=6QcX39gK6aI1b3hcG1fWqA&userid=3mNz5nQFTIBQm0oU5mBR0w ...this was an eclectic and eccentric assemblage of many of Sacramento's most fun muses! THE ART! And speaking of muses, there was... * Youngsters making great chalk art masterpieces! https://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/chalk-it-up-sacramento?select=1iOuyK6_5ceVlATAnNqkmw&userid=3mNz5nQFTIBQm0oU5mBR0w * Dudes making "photo-real" chalk portraits! https://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/chalk-it-up-sacramento?select=LcE2PntOx3RIkzgEOOG0uQ&userid=3mNz5nQFTIBQm0oU5mBR0w * Pretty gals making chalk art of pretty gals! https://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/chalk-it-up-sacramento?select=UfeDjzv9GVirAzmge7yr5w&userid=3mNz5nQFTIBQm0oU5mBR0w And MORE pretty gals! https://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/chalk-it-up-sacramento?select=R95qshzEPXDU8MdIUxOCYQ&userid=3mNz5nQFTIBQm0oU5mBR0w SPOIL THE ARTISTS! Several friends of mine are contributors and vendors at Chalk It Up! each year and it's always a treat to see them giving "their all" to the artistic process. That why it behooves us spectators from time to time to treat an artist to refreshment to cool them off in the heat, like this tasty treat of gelato I gave to my muse-friend Denise B.! https://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/chalk-it-up-sacramento?select=fuac1idy4zppwPql26Gqww&userid=3mNz5nQFTIBQm0oU5mBR0w THE LOWDOWN Chalk It Up is firmly embedded as a SacTown Tradition you should not miss! read more

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Gets better every year. I wouldn't come hungry though. Food lines were very long. Parking can be a mess, but the music, art and atmosphere are worth it. read more

While well aware that there is such a thing as prints of pictures taken of these beloved works, part of me can't help feeling pangs of sadness as these drawings slowly fade back into the regular old sidewalks of Fremont Park in the weeks following Labor Day Weekend. Chalk It Up takes place every first weekend in September at my neighborhood park over on 15th & P street, and it is a beautiful way to connect our Sacramento area artists with their most appreciative community. For three solid days, the lucky individual is able to watch all four sidewalks, 15th, P, 16th, and Q respectively, transform into one sprawling mural that includes original art, vibrant ads for local businesses, organizations, sports teams, and community events, and other such visual treats. From 10 am to 5 pm, give or take, there are booths, food vendors, and activities for kids available inside Fremont Park. I absolutely adore living in Midtown, and this is one of the community events that make the stupid arena rent hikes worth it. We have such a vibrant art scene here in Sacramento, and Chalk It Up is but one time where it really, truly shows. read more

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I made a stop at Chalk-It-Up on Labor Day to check out the art. I must say that there are some amazing artists out there that create outstanding pieces using chalk. This is a definite must-see every year. It was a bit warm out (I went around noon), but if you go during the morning or evening, it's a pleasant weather time. Not only is there art, but there are food vendors and children's art on the inner sidewalk of the park. I was hoping to catch the final artwork a day or two later, but the sprinklers must have washed most of it away. C'est La Vie! There's always next year. read more

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The intense heat kept me away until the very last moments of the 2017 Chalk it Up! festival in midtown Sacramento. I fight climate change on a daily basis, and it relented enough for the clouds to move in on Labor Day and brought a lot of people out to see the sidewalk art along Fremont Park at 15th & P Street. Parking is rumored to exist, but light rail is a much better option. The concept is simple. Blocks of the sidewalk are colored using chalk. People walk around and go "ooh" and "aah" while listening to a band play. Fortunately, the actual art was really good and worth a stroll. Many organizations sponsored sections including great local businesses. The artists were working up until the end on their creations with some amazing and impressive results. Inside the park, the organizers set up a great selection of food trucks, beer garden, and a live music stage. Many arts & crafts vendors set up shop inside the park too. Of course people watching is great with a wide range of Sacramento present. There was no admission, so that made it easier to double down on the drinks and foods. Support local art! read more

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Fun, free community event that brings out some amazing artists! Lots of free activities for the kids, live music and food trucks. Worth going at least once. read more

Chalk It Up! - Community Service/Non-Profit Near Me - Sacramento, California

Was out for a walk after brunch and just so happened to stumble upon this artful happening. It was at Fremont park which is my favorite park in midtown so any excuse to go there is MORE than enough reason for me. Especially when there is art involved. Sacramento has the most incredible art community. I mean chalk?!! REALLY?!! These people are freaking amazing!!! read more

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I had vaguely remembered that Chalk It Up was taking place the day I happened to be at Naked Lounge. Luckily for me, it was one of those "right time, right place" moments! After grabbing a coffee, I strolled over to Fremont Park to check it out. The live band playing at the time was...a - ok. Some kids who probably should have rehearsed more in their parent's garage were belting it out. But then the music eventually got better. There were also booths set up of the politically-correct, green-themed variety as well as a few food booths. The highlight of the event was of course the chalk artistry! What passion! What creativity! And to think it is all temporary. I won't go on to compare it to the impermanence of Tibetan sand mandalas, but it seems a shame that you can't take capture some of this hand-chalked beauty forever. Ran into fellow Yelper Mandie and her fantastic tribute piece. I had no idea she was so talented! This festival gives a whole new meaning to "sidewalk art". Family-friendly, good vibes and great way to view Sacramento's talent. read more

This event was worth the 19 hours of pretending to be a Chinese contortionist to draw a memorial piece for my friend who passed away last month. During my breaks I checked out the food, the beer garden, and the live bands. If you really like a specific square, you can vote on it by filling out a card at the registration booth. Had I known that before Monday I probably would have had more votes and maybe won something, lol. Anyway, I plan on "chalking up" a square every year. One gripe: I wish they would block off the sidewalks at night so assholes don't ride their bikes or walk across the work. read more

Chalk It Up! - Mine in progress - Community Service/Non-Profit Near Me - Sacramento, California

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DO YOU LOVE ART?! If you do, then you must check it out! ugh it is so awesome! i am so glad i went to this event and saw all the local talented artist working away on the floor drawing the coolest art one can imagine! Some art work i have seen are sponsors from local businesses, which is cool that they are supporting this event and raising money for charity! i believe each square do cost money and you can buy it out and buy your own chalk art work! VIBE The vibe got here make me appreciate all the artwork more. Seeing all the aristist drawing away with chalk, some getting chalk all over their clothing, and kneeling down on the hard concrete really amazes me, it is not easy work at all. Just imagine the time, they put into the artwork, so i must say watch where you step and try to avoid stepping on the art work. ARTS AND CRAFT VEDNORS There is so much more to art! We do have vendors selling other art work such as listed below.... 1. Melodes design - She is a 70 yr old woman who does an amazing job of hand sewing pin cushions! Those pin cushions she was selling were all handmade and are so cute! She even does an amazing job on decorating a lollipop and selling them too. 2. Photography - There is an amazing photographer who takes pics of SF or SAC and print them out on glass and are hung and displayed for sale, most of the prices were reasonable and under $100. 3. Art Glass - Lots of nice 3D mouth blown art glass in a shiny glossed, these are amazing and colors on it are just vibrant wow! 4. Art of the Living Dead - They have a stand with diy artwork, color it yourself! this is great for kids! 5. Jewlery stand - lots of handmade crochet bracelets with gems in it, very cool and unique! 6. Cactus succulents! - this was one of my favorite vendors, with a talented guy who makes his own vase and decor cactus in it! very cute and urban and just cool to look at! much more, go check for yourself MUSICIANS Very fun local musicians setting the vibe to a live and fun event! The music played was more mellow and chill kind of songs. Loved the guitarist the most! FOOD All the local food trucks to choose from! One of my favorites was there, such as Krush! Oh that Salmon BLT caught me drooling! PARKING i recommend public transportation, which is easy and stress free. Parking will be hard to find, unless you find parking near the meters, otherwise good luck. OVERALL The event is a great turnout, with great food, music, entertainment with local chalk artists, and vendors that sell awesome art works! Will be back very soon and every year! read more

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A fun annual event (every Labor Day weekend) -- run by volunteers to raise money for children's art programs throughout the Sacramento region. This weekend was the 17th annual Chalk It Up! event. Sidewalk space around the perimeter of Fremont Park is sponsored by various local individuals, businesses and groups. Each assigned space is then filled with amazing chalk art (see pix). My children enjoyed watching the artists render their space using pastels, water, brushes, stencils and their hands. You can buy pastels/sidewalk space and have your kids try it on the interior sidewalks throughout Fremont Park. Even though it's hot, there is plenty of shade and vendors available for cool drinks and treats. Bring your own water and don't forget to bring cash. There is plenty to see and do at this event, especially for young kids. When they get tired of looking at the chalk art, listening to live music, eating, and drawing, they can always play on the playground. This year's vendors included: coffee and food from Old Soul; a beer garden; two food booths (with vegetarian options); a solar-powered air-conditioned booth and clean up fountain from SMUD; shaved ice confections; candle making; temporary tattoos; henna; beads; and various informational booths and tables from local artists, groups and services. Mochii Yogurt (from across the street) was generously handing out samples on a tray. It seemed as if there were fewer people and participants this year. If you missed it, come by next year to support local artists and the arts. It's fun for the kids and a great cause. read more

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This is one of my favorite free events in Sacramento that I look forward to every year. It happens every labor day weekend, and it is such a treat to see all the talented and creative artist around. I have been coming almost every year since it started, and it gets more and more crowded each year. I recommend going to Magpie for brunch and then walking over for the event to snag a good parking spot. If you rather save room for the food truck delights, then I reccomend hanging out at Insight which is also across the street from the park to guarantee yourself a good parking spot. Attached are my favorites from this year. Enjoy! read more

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Awesome event! I love events like this that brings out the creative and artistic side of people that inspires the young and the old. Not only does it bring out the ingenious side of artists, but it also brings the community together. It has activities for kids, food trucks, concerts, and alcohol for the adults. For those who have not gone, definitely go the following year! Thank you all for sharing your talents! read more

I do not think I have missed a Chalk It Up festival in ten years. It has come to be my favorite festival in Sacramento. There is always a lot of food, music, and beer going around like every festival should have. There are even a few booths selling various items. The things that make this festival so great are the large trees, dedicated artists, and all of the signs asking you to PLEASE STAY ON THE GRASS. It has the feel of a small town festival and you can always find tired artists that will take time out to talk to you about the passion that drew them to this festival. I have a lot of respect, admiration, and compassion for these artists. To bend over a square of sidewalk for days on end while putting themselves and their creations on display to the public is unbelievably courageous in my book and many of the final products are spectacular to say the least. read more

This festival is so much fun. Every year you get to enjoy a variety of music, have good food and drink, and watch artists create beautiful landscapes on asphalt. It's an amazing time and a wonderful way to spend an afternoon or an hour of your day!! read more

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Events like these makes me so proud to be from Sacramento. It bothers me when people say, 'Oh, Sacramento is so boring, there's nothing to do here." Yeah....those people are probably the ones that just wants to hit up clubs every night drinking their life away. Sacramento is so diverse if you only take a moment to just...be. It's Sunday and already I've spent a few hours at the Gold Rush event in Old Sac where there was a shoot out and I panned for gold. Then, I made my way on over to Burgers and Brew where I enjoyed their special burger of the day and because they are so awesome, I had the orange water and the cucumber water. After a satisfying meal, I wandered over to the Chalf It Up event and was just amazed at the crowd of local artists. Bright colors everywhere, vibrant must floating through the air and people of all sorts were just out enjoying this perfect Sunday afternoon. Better yet, Mochi Yogurt was just around the corner so being able to enjoy a blood orange yogurt with pomegranate mochi and mango was just the icing on the cake! Chalk it Up is definitely one of my favorite events in Sacramento and I encourage all you folks out there to come and participate, hang out and enjoy the beauty of it all! read more

Fun! Crowded with kids, kids, grandparents, kids, a few 20-somethings and a few more kids. There was a music stage I didn't pay attention to, a dull looking beer garden (at least it was on Sunday mid-afternoon when I showed up) and 4 or so food trucks (Drewski's was by far the best choice for lunch). They also had a selection of other booths including reps from SMUD (free fans and boxes of chalk) and the public library (sign up for a library card and get a free pencil) and a booth of hippie wares for sale. After eating lunch (goddamn - mac&cheese IN my sandwich?? Brilliant!) and browsing around the interior of the park (aw, look at all the kid scribbles!), the only thing we hadn't yet accomplished was to actually look at the real art. So, we made our loop and the sidewalk chalk art was pretty darn excellent. I didn't know that chalk art could be that intensely colorful. Pretty, pretty. I thought it was a bit bizarre that so many of the sidewalk squares had been bought by restaurants and public services and mainly served as advertisements. Oh well, even though they were pretty enough, I tried to gloss over those and focus on the 40% that seemed unadulterated. Still, it was a fun, free event so I can't complain. I felt as though I had done it all after I had been there for about an hour, but I would definitely say that it's worth it to take some time (and if you have kids definitely take your kids) and go have lunch in Fremont Park for the Chalk It Up fest. read more

It's always a great time at Chalk it up. I usually go on Sunday because half of the art is completed but there are still artists there so you can watch them. It's the coolest thing to watch and artist are of all ages. I took my sisters back when they were kids. I love that they have free chalk there for kids to decorate the inside walkways of the park. Everyone is so friendly. This year it seemed like there were more food vendors than ever and the live music and beer garden was a nice touch. I truly love this event and the location can't be beat. I recommend going more than once and it's an event for all ages. **the event is not good for disabled as they would need to walk on the grass a lot.** read more

I just came back to find Gretchen beat me by just a few minutes on the first to review. GRRRRRRRRRR!! Echo what Gretchen said. Great event. Excellent place to take the kids over the Labor Day weekend for a few hours. Lots of very cool chalk drawings, as well as plenty of room for the kids to do their own work of arts. Live music, snow cones, small vendors, beer gardens, food, plus all the other stuff mentioned It definitely did seem like there were fewer participants this year, but I thought the quality of work was the best I have seen in the 4 years I have been going. It'll be even better next year once the water fountain in the middle of the park is completed. read more

It was HOT!!! I know this is an annual event, but I wish they could pick a cooler time. The heat has kept me away for years. This year a friend really wanted to go so I joined him. It was hot and very crowded. You inched along to view the many drawings. They were beautiful. I'm glad I got to see them, but I don't think I'll be back. It was too hot and crowded. I also learned that the drawings will be posted on their website. The collection of food was wonderful. We found some Mexican corn and that was a fun new treat. They also had Mexican fruit. Such as mangos cut into beautiful flowers and chili powder. There were ATMs available and lots of port-a-potties. I loved the free picture booth. They emailed us to us and if you wanted a copy I think it was 2 for $5 or something close. Either way we got to. You have to have a picture. The nice thing about the bands were they weren't too loud so you can have fun chat and weren't drowned out. There were lots of vendors. The one that stood out was the local author. He had books for sale about midtown and Sacramento. A great find. read more

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Great free art event for singles, groups and/or families. We went out there the last day of the event and there were area in the works. The weather was perfect and majority of the time you were not in direct sunshine; super plus when it is hotter than heck in the valley. Some of the art is amazing and a small percentage is alright, but overall impressive what the artist are able to do with chalk!!! Parking is a BI*CH! If you are bringing your wee ones and in need of a stroller - might want to use a jogging stroller; makes it a little bit more manageable rolling over the grass areas, cause they are using the sidewalk for the chalk! read more

I looovee this event! I've been going to Chalk It Up almost every year for the last 6 years! The chalk creations are amazing, the detail, the colors, the skill involved. After turning 21, being able to enjoy the music from the beer garden is just perfect. I feel like I find something new every year at Chalk it Up! The craft vendors are my favorite part, though. Because once you've walked around the block and looked at all the chalk creations, you walk onto the grass and get more eye candy in the form of jewelry, clothing, knitted crafts, and this year, sugar candy skulls! When I was in high school, there was a booth there that was selling jewelry by African women, benefiting their village and its fight against AIDS. And this year there was a woman selling resin flower jewelry and taking credit card payments with her iphone. Chalk it Up and its vendors are constantly evolving and changing, never a dull moment! The interactive component is what always gets me, watching the little kids crawl all over the middle sidewalks putting their hearts into their own creations. It's so Sacramento to have a festival where your kids can play, you can shop, drink, and listen to great music, and the whole community (public and private sponsors and planning) is working together to create amazing art and memories. read more

I think it could have been better, to be honest. Maybe next year there won't be, like, 30 blank spots. Or maybe that was intentional. Who knows. All I know is that I got to this one spot in my little go-in-a-loop system and my ADD kicked in b/c there was nothing to look at. Besides that, though, I love the idea. It's a great thing to do in midtown during a long weekend and most of the drawings were insanely amazing. It's conveniently located so that you can take a jaunt over to Mochii, Starbucks, Naked Coffee or Nishiki. I pretty much love any event that either A) serves food or B) is surrounded by food. Star alone for that. read more