A worthy weekend destination this summer,
Situated just forty minutes north of Milwaukee along the west bend of the Milwaukee River, the Museum of Wisconsin makes a perfect venue for West Bend’s largest outdoor art festival—Art & Chalk Fest. This free outdoor live arts festival returns for its fifth annual two-day event on August 20–21. There are many reasons why Art & Chalk Fest should be added to your list of festivals to check out this summer. Take a look at our top five.
- Immerse yourself into an art-filled experience
Artists of all types converge on the museum for a weekend of art experiences for all ages. From professional chalk artists transforming the museum’s parking lot into a concrete canvas to art demos including glass blowing in a mobile hot shop, pottery throwing, and more.
- Listen to live music all day long
The museum celebrates arts in all its forms. Sit back and enjoy live music all weekend long surrounded by the blooming hydrangeas in the MOWA Gardens with performances by some of Wisconsin’s favorite artists including Boom Forest, Moonglow, No Seatbelts, and Donna Woodall—just to name a few.
- Ignite creativity with family friendly activities
The all-ages festival shuts down Veterans Avenue to create a family activity zone with a chalking canvas for the community. Grab a free pack of chalk then chalk the street to leave your mark on the festival. Interactive children’s musical acts and art activities provide a creative outlet for families while the balloon artist and face painters offer a memento for the weekend.
- Find sustenance with a food and beer garden
Explore the four-acre campus filled to the brim with art experience requires serious sustenance. More than fifteen food trucks line the festival streets from ice cream to street corn and from tacos to falafel. The festival beer garden features a selection of Lakefront Brewery beers and non-alcoholic options to keep you hydrated.
- See the best of Wisconsin art—for free
The festival relies on sponsors to keep it free to attend each year. The museum also opens its doors for free museum admission Saturday and Sunday, 9:30–4:00. Festival goers can explore the exhibition Here We Stand by Madison Ho-Chunk photographer Tom Jones—the artist’s first full-career retrospective.
Start planning your visit West Bend’s Art & Chalk Fest at wisconsinart.org/art-chalk-fest/.
