With streets dry a year after water main break, Montgomery celebrates with a street art festival and night market

CTV News

18 hours ago

35 groups and individuals competed for $1,300 in cash prizes at Chalk the Block Saturday in Montgomery
The sidewalks of Montgomery looked quite a bit different Saturday than a year ago, thanks to an imaginative street art festival.
The first Montgomery Chalk the Block and Night Market was held Saturday, featuring over 50 people who divided into 35 or so groups to create original chalk art on the street.
The theme for the artists was Canada Day and the Bow River, said Rebecca O'Brien, executive director of the Montgomery BIA.
'(We've turned it into an) immense art event which, as you can see, is pretty incredible,' O'Brien said.
There were four different categories of competitors, including elementary, middle, high school and college/adult.
Chalk the Block, June 28, 2025
There were 4 competitive categories offering $1,300 in cash prizes Saturday.
(Darren Wright, CTV Calgary)
O'Brien said the festival was the brainchild of the previous executive director, who was inspired by chalk artists who compete in Knoxville, Tennessee.
'She was looking for a unique concept for a festival that makes it stand apart and learned about the Dogwood Arts Festival in Knoxville,' O'Brien said.
'She ran with it, but last year there was a water main break.'
As far as the night market goes, O'Brien was previously involved with the Inglewood BIA, where they have a popular night market.
First street art competition
Chalk the Block is Canada's first street art competition and offered $1,300 in cash prizes.
The Montgomery Night Market featured curated artisan vendors, a beer garden, live music and street performers.
As for whether there will be another Chalk the Block street art festival?
'From the feedback we're getting,' O'Brien said, '100 per cent yes.'