Thursday, August 11, 2011

"Chalk on the Walk" a Sweet Pea Tradition

Chalk on the Walk
NICK WOLCOTT/CHRONICLE Ian Aadland, 9, draws a lion on Main Street's sidewalk Tuesday morning during Chalk on the Walk, an annual Sweet Pea activity.

Chalk covered hands, clothes and Main Street’s sidewalks by the end of the day Tuesday – the colorful aftermath of the Sweet Pea Festival’s 22nd Chalk on the Walk.

People young and old spent the sunny morning hunkered down with their chalk boxes from Grand to Broadway avenues. The idea is to paint the town – literally. What better way to celebrate art than by making art out of the city itself?

For nearly a quarter century, Chalk on the Walk has been a Bozeman tradition. Some parents take the morning off – just like they have since they were kids. Continuing the family affair, they now bring their own children.

William Young, 4, staked out a place under an awning where his art would be more sheltered from tempestuous afternoon rains. His little sister watched him make bold, bright strokes across the pavement. Their mother drew an intricate, flowery, swirled design, but William had other ideas.

“I’m drawing the super blaster,” he said, pointing at the fire-clad rocket at his feet. “It can even run faster than any person.”

Chalk on the Walk

“I drew a huge butterfly last year,” Mozelle Bertelsen, 6, said, stepping aside to reveal this year’s big, pink butterfly.

“I LIKE PEACE,” her brother, Cedar, 8, wrote in big block letters next to his 12-year-old sister Malia’s big, yellow peace sign.

Sweet Pea is a summer highlight, the children said. Cedar is looking forward to Sweet Pea’s children’s run Saturday morning, but he’s also looking forward to the festival’s music and dancing.

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