Photo credit: City of Midland

What to watch: Chalk the Block turns Centennial Park into a free outdoor gallery this Saturday. The City of Midland’s third annual event runs 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., with professional artists, high school students, and family teams making beautiful chalk artwork on the sidewalks and streets around the park. You can watch the pieces go down, walk the squares, enjoy music and food, and draw some doodles.

The big picture: Professional artists and high school students work on the larger squares around the park. Family teams are new this year and compete from 10 a.m. to noon. Judging is done by people’s choice, and big prizes are handed out to the winner each year. Historically a $2,500 top professional prize and student scholarships of up to $500. This year’s theme is America250. Artists can take the country’s 250th anniversary and make it their own — a place, a person, a tradition, a piece of history, or a private take.

Last year the park was filled with live music, bounce houses, and hands-on stations while art was being made all around. Food trucks, community organizations, and local businesses set up around the park. This year, booth holders will all offer a hands-on activities for kids.

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Go deeper: Chalk the Block began in 2024 as a free downtown art day. The first professional winner was Anna Celeste, who drew a brightly colored lion’s head, her take on Aslan from the Chronicles of Narnia. It was her first time working in chalk. The win led to a commission to paint a west-facing wall at City Hall, and she came back in 2025 as the featured artist and face painter. That second year drew over 20 professional artists and 14 high school students.

The bottom line: Arrive between 10 and noon if you want to watch the family squares and stay into the afternoon if you want to see it all. Dress for an October day outside and bring water. Register a family team before Saturday if you want a piece of the action.