With streets dry a year after water main break, Montgomery celebrates with a street art festival and night market
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.'
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
CTV News
an hour ago
- CTV News
Vibrancy Festival lights up Citadel Hill in Halifax this weekend
The Vibrancy Fest is set to light up Halifax's Citadel Hill this weekend. The Vibrancy Fest is set to light up Halifax's Citadel Hill this weekend. A major electronic festival will take over Citadel Hill in Halifax once again this weekend. The Vibrancy Festival, which showcases underground electronic music, is back for the fourth year on Friday and Saturday. It will feature several performers, including DJ Cloverdale. 'What an iconic venue right in the middle of the city,' Cloverdale said. 'We're so lucky and so fortunate to be able to it here, and there's so much space and it sounds great.' Cloverdale, who will perform on Friday, has built his show – which features synthesizers, drum machines and a video – around his latest record. 'It listens, like, as one continuous 45-minute piece of music,' he said. 'It's called 'Channel 303,' which is sort of a mythical, make-believe TV station that I've sort of created in my mind a little bit. 'There's lots of little, like, jingles and TV commercials and little bits and bobs in there. It all is able to perform live and so it's kind of been a cool way to do a whole show and album all kind of mixed into one.' Other big names at the weekend event include Avalon Emerson, HNTR, Todd Edwards, Omnom, Juan Atkins, Hiroko Yamamura and Coffintexts. 'It's going to be a really, really jam-packed, diverse night of house and techno,' Cloverdale said. 'Everyone there is supporting each other and encouraging everyone to be themselves and to let loose and dance. 'It really is just a space of positive energy and love and it's so much fun.' The Vibrancy Festival will run from 7 p.m. to 1:30 a.m. on Friday and Saturday.
CTV News
2 hours ago
- CTV News
Young oboist raising money to fulfill dream of attending prestigious university
A recent graduate from Harry Ainlay High School in Edmonton is headed to a prestigious music school that only allows 150 people in a year – only five of whom play the same instrument as him. His problem, however, lies in the fact that his instrument may now be past its prime, meaning this new opportunity will cost him in the range of $15,000. Eric Davidson has been playing the oboe for six years, but his former music teacher, Beth Levia, said in an interview Tuesday that his skill progressed 'like a rocket ship.' 'Eric's sound was even at the very beginning really well defined, quite mature and he progressed quickly,' Levia said. 'I've never had a student like that.' Davidson was accepted to the Curtis Institute of Music in Philadelphia. It's one of the most competitive music schools in North America, with an acceptance rate that hovers between four and seven per cent. But while Davidson himself is bright-eyed and ready for a new adventure, his beloved instrument is not. 'It's past its age of retirement. I would say it's starting to lose vibrancy,' he said. 'So I'll be exploring different opportunities and instruments down there … it's a really important part of an artist's journey.' Oboes, however – and an impressive music school – don't come cheap. Davidson's mom Amy Davidson said the family was advised to start a Go Fund Me as well as hold a concert and a raffle to fundraise money for his oboe expenses. 'The number of people who have stepped up to support him has just been overwhelming and really encouraging, and we're so grateful,' Amy Davidson said. And while fundraising is still several thousand dollars short of getting him where he needs to be for a departure on Thursday, Eric Davidson said he's ready nonetheless. 'A little bit nervous, but a lot of excitement,' he said. 'It's going to be an adventure and a journey, but I'm really looking forward to where the road could take me.' With files from CTV News Edmonton's Marek Tkach
CBC
3 hours ago
- CBC
Alberta photographers capturing history of small-town hotel taverns before they disappear
Rob Pohl and Chris Doering plan to visit 100 historic rural bars across Western Canada as part of their Beer Parlour Project. At each establishment, they take photos using a vintage film camera and interview longtime customers.
