Chalkfest Set To Transform Maple Grove’s Main Street
This weekend in Maple Grove, several blocks of Main Street will become a canvas for chalk artists.
Allison Olstad is one of the 50 artists from around the world taking part in Chalkfest Maple Grove, which is celebrating its 10th anniversary.
“I really like to do characters and popular things that people recognize,” said Olstad, who’s entering her eighth year of participating in the event. “And I love when kids and people come up and they’re like, ‘oh my gosh’ and they recognize what I’m making. It’s like, a really awesome part of the job.”
Two years ago, Olstad created a piece incorporating the characters of Super Mario Bros.
Chalk artist Allison Olstad draws a Super Mario Bros. piece during the 2023 Chalkfest Maple Grove event.
Chalkfest brings thousands of people to Maple Grove for a weekend of art, food trucks and other family-friendly activities.
“It has a huge economic impact on the city of Maple Grove,” said Kira Johnson, executive director of the Maple Grove Business Association. “I mean, the people that are out here shopping, dining, eating, a lot of our businesses see their biggest day of the year during Chalkfest Maple Grove. And it also brings awareness to the community, ongoing, of what the city has to offer.”
The event runs Saturday and Sunday, June 7-8 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., but you can still check out the art in the evening if you can’t make it during the day.
The festivities will take Main Street between Elm Creek Boulevard and one block north of Arbor Lakes Parkway
There’s also a public viewing day on Monday, June 9 where people can admire the art without all the crowds.
Related: Weekend Showcase: Chalkfest at Arbor Lakes
