Sidewalks across The Island in Pigeon Forge will turn into a canvas of color this weekend as chalk artists of all ages set up shop for the 11th Annual Chalkfest on Saturday, September 26. The free event runs from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., with visitors invited to wander the walkways, watch the artwork take shape, and cast votes for their favorite creations before an evening awards ceremony wraps things up.
This year's theme, “Once Upon a Sidewalk,” invites participants to bring a storybook sensibility to their sidewalk squares, according to pigeonforge.com. The festival brings together artists of all ages and skill levels to transform The Island's sidewalks into colorful works of art, the site notes, with the creative work happening in full view of anyone strolling through the popular Pigeon Forge shopping and entertainment complex. Chalkfest is now in its 11th year, according to a Facebook post from the City of Pigeon Forge Department of Tourism.
A Full Day of Sidewalk Creativity
Artwork creation kicks off at 8 a.m. and continues through 4 p.m., per the same account from pigeonforge.com. Visitors can drop by anytime during that window to watch artists at work or return later in the day to see the finished pieces lining The Island's walkways. The event takes place at The Island in Pigeon Forge, located at 131 The Island Drive, and both admission and parking are free, as confirmed by the Pigeon Forge Chamber of Commerce in its own event listing.
Artists themselves also participate at no cost, though the Pigeon Forge Chamber of Commerce notes that advance registration is required to take part. Once the chalk settles, the public gets a say in who takes home top honors: visitors can vote on-site for their favorite sidewalk creations, helping crown winners and award the coveted People's Choice title, according to islandinpigeonforge.com.
Categories, Deadlines, and the Awards Show
Organizers have built in a tight but clear schedule for the day. Artwork must be completed by 4 p.m., voting closes at 4:30 p.m., and the awards ceremony follows at 5:30 p.m., according to the Pigeon Forge Chamber of Commerce. That ceremony will be held at the Ole Smoky Moonshine Stage, where winners will be recognized across Elementary, Middle School, High School, Adult, and Team categories, as detailed on The Island's event page.
For families and visitors who can't make it to the shopping center on Saturday, there's a built-in safety net: the event lists Sunday, September 27, as its official rain date, according to islandinpigeonforge.com. Whether or not that backup day ends up in use, Chalkfest's return marks another chapter in a Pigeon Forge tradition that keeps drawing artists and spectators alike to see the sidewalks reimagined, one chalk-drawn scene at a time.
