Chalk the Block

Chalk the Block happens once a year in October and every year that I've loved it. I think there is a lot of room for CTB to grow so who knows what it will look like in a few years, but as it stands it should be on your list of "things to do in El Paso".This year we decided to go early morning on Saturday which I think is a really good idea if you want to beat the heat. I think we ventured to just about every booth and I was really impressed by the range of vendors. Everything from clothes to sweets to paintings to salsa to face painting. I did pick up a few things here and there.There were at least twenty food trucks, but only a handful of the big dogs (shout out to Sweet Addiction!) which makes me wonder... if they have only a select space for the food trucks how are they selecting them (or is it first come first serve) and what kind of fees are they charging them. I went to two different food trucks that I've never heard of and both left me disappointed... also both charged me two dollars to use a debit card even though they were using Square. Moral of the story, bring cash or be extremely choosy when it comes to the food vendors at CTB (even the other vendors I talked to were shocked that I was charged for using a debit card).Okay so the chalk... you'll find both professionally drawn works and the regular Joe type. All are fascinating to look at and they always have a competition. Those are the pieces you really want to check out.Along with chalk art, CTB always has other forms of art including live performances. This year one of the things I really loved was the moving fire breathing dragon. I didn't get to see it at night which would've been amazing, but seeing it during the day in all it's glory definitely wasn't a let down.Cannot wait until next year's CTB. Great for kiddos, families, and adults alike. It's a lot of fun and there's so much to see. And it doesn't hurt that you can also add the Museum of Art and the Museum of History to your adventure.

Totally lame event. Same few vendors that we see over and over again at all the outdoor markets. Ridiculous price gauging my the food trucks. I paid $30 for 3 lousy taco plates. This event was a total waste of time and money!

Chalk the Block is an. annual event in El Paso. Artists come out and paint the streets using their imagination and chalk. This is a creative way to showcase the talents of local artists. The work put into these concrete canvases is truly marvelous. Not to worry, there are opportunities for the average joe to showcase his skills too. As you walk the streets you can grab chalk and go to town. Of course, in good old El Paso fashion there were plenty of local vendors selling their wares; sweets, shirts, pillows, crochet creations, cds, trinkets and whatnots. The food truck circus had an area too. Not your popular food trucks, some of the up and coming guys. Here is where my 5th star was lost. I wish it were more of the popular ones. The food from these trucks were sub-par, plus they taxed the heck out of you for using a credit card. $2!!! The regular vendors didn't upcharge you 2bucks, only the food trucks. The service was very slow too. CTB is a family friendly event. Bring comfy shoes, imagination and some cash. Have a great time.

Chalk the Block is one of El Paso's favorite art festivals, so after years of hearing about it, I finally got around to checking it out in 2015, and got to see why folks love it so much. The festival brings together numerous chalk artists, and I had no idea there were that many, to create and showcase some really impressive works. It's kind of tragic to know that their beautiful work is only temporary, but maybe that's the point, to appreciate it while it exists, like a Buddhist Sand Mandala, or you know, life.Professional chalk art aside, CTB is a family friendly street festival with lots of stuff to see and do, like a pop-up artist market, kid's games, a plethora of food stands and trucks, the obligatory indie-rock chick singing guitar versions of pop songs on stage, and of course, the opportunity for amateur chalk artists young and old to draw all over the streets of downtown! The chalk art is definitely worth putting CTB on my calendar for next year.

My favorite festival in town! Every October local artists create sidewalk chalk art that is so amazing you can't believe it. Every year is bigger and better with live music, vendors, food trucks, and tons of art. Bring your own chalk or grab some free from a few booths and you too can create some drawings all over downtown.