Chalk the Block is a colorful way to spend the weekend with friends and family.

It started on October 11 and ended on October 13 at downtown El Paso. 

Chalk the Block brought more than 40,000 people to downtown El Paso to enjoy live music, interactive painting, sidewalk chalk competitions, and so much more. 

It started in 2008 as a small event of just 12 artists, but has now grown into one of El Paso’s largest free events. 

Chalk the Block, being a family friendly event, has activities for everyone.

At the event, games such as rock climbing, slides, and jumping houses were available to the attendees.

A wide variety of food trucks and music were also available to everyone. 

Walking into the event crowds of people were visible.

The band “Squonk” was playing, and the smell of hot dogs and pretzels filled the air.

The volunteers were friendly and everyone was smiling. 

Everyone was drawing on any piece of concrete they could find.

Being drawn were flowers, sharks, the Joker, and even an El Paso Strong sign.

The strong sense of community was present in this event. 

Erin Ritter, a public affairs coordinator in the event, said, “Chalk the block is a really fun, relaxed, family friendly event.”

Ritter said, “The fact is that we can make art accessible to everyone given free workshops, everything family friendly.” 

Chalk the Block is a great event to spend the weekend if one is ready to unleash their creative side and to have a fun time with friends and family.