“Ox Chalks The Walks”

The Oxford Community Arts Center (OCAC) is hosting its annual “Ox Chalks The Walks,” where families and locals decorate the town’s sidewalks with color and art.

“I think it’s important for the Oxford community to have these types of family-friendly, large, community engagement events,” said Heidi Schiller, Executive Director at OCAC.

From 11 a.m. until 3 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 9, families and locals will meet at OCAC, where chalk will be provided to participants. Art contest registration is $10 and can be purchased onsite. All contest registrants get an 18-piece chalk set to take home after the event.

Schiller believes that participants of the event, accompanied by some handy chalk, contribute to building a stronger and more community-oriented Oxford. 

“We not only enliven our neighborhood, but we create that cultural area, here in Uptown, and we invite people, especially families with kids, to explore their creativity in a fun, open, festival-type atmosphere,” Schiller said.

Throughout the event, food trucks, balloon animals, face painting and more will be available for participants. Live music will also be performed.

From 11:30 a.m. until noon, Chad Wonsik will perform, followed by Vernon McIntyre’s Appalachian Grass from noon until 2:30 p.m.

At 2 p.m., judges will view the chalk art and decide on a winner, where prizes will be handed out on the Pavilion Stage. First place is a $50 cash prize. 

“There’s a sense of bringing together people from the surrounding areas and providing them with a reason to come into Oxford,” Schiller said. “These are all drivers of economic development.”

“Ox Chalks The Walks” is made possible by a grant from The Anne Ruder Bever & James E. Bever Fund of Greater Oxford Community Foundation.

More information can be found on OCAC’s website.