Annual festival entertains eye and mouth
By Andrea
Keelan
Lance Writer
August 29, 2007
.tmp) Chalk
and chocolate may seem like an odd combination,
but the second annual Chalk and Chocolate Festival
proved that Windsorites were willing to give it a
try. Of course, the chalk wasn’t for consuming,
but for creating interesting and amusing artwork
on the sidewalks of Pelissier and Chatham Street
in the downtown area on August 18. Both amateur
and professional artists decorated the walkways
with entertaining and original murals. From
Spiderman to mermaids and a huge vase of flowers,
the chalk artists dazzled the crowd with their
creations.
It’s
safe to say that anyone who stepped into Chatham
Street Grill, Pitt for Pasta or Ye Olde Steakhouse
was dazzled not by chalk, but by delicious
chocolate treats that could satisfy any
chocolate-lover’s sweet tooth. These three
restaurants offered a range of desserts from a
crepe filled with chocolate ice cream and drizzled
in chocolate sauce to a rich fantasia torte double
chocolate cake. Although the festival was free of
charge, the restaurants charged around $3 for
their creations, which was money well spent. For
anyone who isn’t a fan of chocolate: no worries,
you wouldn’t starve. The festival also provided
popcorn and cotton candy for those who were so
inclined.
Of
course where there is sidewalk chalk, you can be
sure that children won’t be far away, itching to
use their imaginations. The Chalk and Chocolate
Festival certainly offered kids this chance: chalk
was left out for them in buckets to allow them to
draw whatever they pleased on the blocked off
streets. Kids could also have their face painted,
partake in fencing lessons from two pirates with
Styrofoam swords or sit back with their parents to
enjoy entertaining clowns or an amusing performer
who juggled, told jokes and rode a teeny tiny
tricycle which brought forth eruptions of laughter
from onlookers. Later on in the afternoon, local
bands Solidarity and Ontology provided the
entertainment that wrapped up this afternoon
festival.
The
festival provided entertainment, food and fun, and
also promoted the downtown area as a rich cultural
hotspot in Windsor with something for everyone.
Information was available at the main tent about
the atmosphere and menus of downtown restaurants
and encouraged people to try something new next
time they go out for a bite to eat. The Art
Gallery of Windsor had a booth where information
was being handed out about upcoming exhibits and
the fun activities that they offer to
children.
Local
talent didn’t only take the form of
local bands. Sandi Wheaton is an extremely
talented local photographer who uses
an interesting technique of infrared
black and white film to capture exquisite
photographs from all around the world.
Her pictures of Ontario were just as
beautiful as her photos from Japan and
Spain. It’s doubtful that anyone who
stopped by her booth at the festival
wasn’t completely blown away by her
skill and creativity.
Dee-Dee
is the inventive and enterprising young woman
behind Dilly Daisy Handmade Clothing and
Accessories. Her booth at the festival featured a
rack of adorable original clothing items made by
Dee-Dee herself. She was also selling her handmade
jewelry and fashionable pins that seemed to be hot
items with young women. This local designer is
bursting with ingenuity and helped to showcase the
enormous talent that exists right here in Windsor.
If
you missed this year’s Chalk and Chocolate
Festival, be sure to catch it next summer and take
in the downtown atmosphere of Windsor.
Until
then, let them eat chocolate cake! |