Street Festival ~ Farewell to Summer 2010

The annual Art Along the River festival signifies the end of summer here...

it's a two day affair featuring art, music, a dog walk, food and micro-brew tastings from local breweries.

I thought you might like to take a look at some of the sights we enjoyed last weekend.

A very tall, calm, friendly fellow with beautiful markings and interesting eyes. (Yes, I'm a dog lover...)

Good Blues...




A lovely lady enjoying the music ~ :)




My favorite part of the event; the Street "Painting"
(it's actually chalk.) 

Street painting can be traced back to Europe beginning in the 16th century.

Called Madonnari in Italy (because the Madonna was a favored subject), itinerant artists traveled to towns and provinces around festival and holy days to create their artwork from chalk, charcoal, or broken tiles on streets, in town squares, or near churches. In appreciation of the artwork passersby would leave oil, a bit of bread or occasionally a coin or two.


 In England the artists are called screevers.




Of course in a short time the artwork would wash away.

World War II caused a disruption of this form of folk art, but a resurgence emerged in the 1970's. In Boston, in 1973 "Sidewalk Sam"  (Robert Guillemin)  was recognized as the first street painter in the U.S.





Over the years street painting has become popular worldwide ~ and you may have seen some of these incredible artists at work near your home.

I love that an area is designated for children to try their hand at chalk painting too.








Soft afternoon shadows on this beautiful piece.

Every year the artwork is different, and I try to pick my favorite.
It was a tough call this time, but I kept being drawn to this beautiful image of an early 1900's young woman *sigh*














Remarkable detail on this historical character.

Well, hello again.


I definitely think she was my favorite this year (as evidenced by the number of photos I took of her...) I couldn't help myself, I was drawn back again and again.

Bonus...  Accidentally captured in the top corner  *cute shoes!*

Hiding under the Sunday paper ~ for the cat lovers among us.

Look! It's Toucan Sam's cousin. :D

Colorful hummingbird and plumeria blossoms.  Passing the toy shop window on the way back to the car ...... The perfect conclusion to a magical day. :) ,,, Thanks for stopping by for a visit today, friends!.. Have a wonderful weekend.xo~m.