Huge Chalk Festival About An Hour’s Drive From St. Cloud

The inaugural Prior Lake Chalk Fest gets underway on Friday at 4 p.m. It's a little over an hour's drive from St. Cloud. The event features three professional chalk artists who will be making their creations throughout the event.

One of the artists is Minnesota's own Shawn McCann. He's a street painter and chalk artist who graduated from the Minneapolis College of Art and Design. He's also been twice featured at the LA Times Festival of Books as their featured Illustrator.

The artists will be working around the clock and even into the night. You're invited to watch them work for free. You'll also be able to purchase food from local vendors throughout the festival.

There's a chalk creation contest where you can go up against other amateur artists for a chance to win prizes. Judges from local businesses will be choosing the winners of the 3 divisions which include; Kids 12 and under, individual, and group (up to 6). If you're interested in being part of the contest you need to register your spot.

There will also be food trucks on-site and live music by Trainwreck Duet from 5 p.m. to 8 pm.

The fun gets underway again on Saturday with a farmer's market starting at 8 a.m. until 3 p.m.Live music by Greenwood Tree kicks off at 9 a.m .and goes until 1 p.m.

Saturday's events will also feature free face painting for kids from 10:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.You can chat with the chalk artists and sit in on a min master's class from 1:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m.

You're also invited to take lots of selfies and photos at designated photo stations throughout the event which is located in downtown Prior Lake along Dakota Street SE. The event wraps up at 6 p.m. Saturday.