Larger than Life Murals Will Transform Uptown Somerset July 26,27,28
(Somerset, PA) On July 26, 27, & 28, quaint historic Somerset welcomes back the bright and colorful Uptown Chalk the Block Festival. In its 8th year, Uptown Chalk the Block is Western Pennsylvania’s first chalk festival. What started as an ode to classic sidewalk chalk, lemonade, and barefoot nostalgia has transformed into an event that will host some of the most incredible artists from all over the country - and world. In 2024, Somerset, Inc., Somerset’s Main Street Program, will bring in 21 professional street painting artists, 1 professional muralist, plein air artists, potters, and more.
According to Somerset, Inc. Executive Director, Regina Coughenour, “Uptown Chalk the Block has the perfect balance to inspire the kindred spirit in every person, regardless of age. The energy at this festival, set in small-town Somerset, with these world-class street murals, is peaceful, stunning, and fun.”
2024’s Festival line-up includes some long-time returning artists and community favorites, The Chalking Dad, Jesse Lubera, and Lori Hughes and some new-to-Somerset artists from as far as California including Nestor Mendoza, Chelsea Scott, & Holland Winslow.
According to Somerset, Inc Community Engagement Director, Kelley Duppstadt, “Choosing the artists is one of the most difficult and cool experiences. We sit down as a committee and review dozens of incredible applications to transform our streets for the weekend and choose as many as we can with our budget. It’s amazing to be able to bring this level of talent and skill to Uptown Somerset.”
With all these artists coming in, Somerset, Inc., is excited to create a walkable community for the weekend. The Laurel Arts SoCo Summer Parade kicks everything off on Friday evening at 6PM and strides down Main Street. Directly following the parade, Matt Otis and the Sound plays live right in the middle of the diamond in Uptown Somerset (the town square).
All weekend long the festival highlights art forms. There’s a full line-up of live music, including local music groups and street musicians. Food trucks, restaurant pop-ups, and local shops even add a creative flair to their food for the weekend. On Saturday, the youth and adult chalk competitions are held right in the center of town. Saturday’s 1st Summit Kids Zone features chalk-inspired projects and Sundays Barbera Law Stem Rocks Camp offers kids educational activities incorporating art. Sunday morning, while the pros put the final touches on their larger- than-life murals, the 5K walk/run will glide right through the center of town, viewing the art as they go!
Along with vendors and music, Sunday is the day to stroll the town, taking pictures with 3-D murals and marveling at all the color.
To learn more about this festival, go to somersetinc.org/chalktheblock and follow Uptown Chalk the Block on Facebook or Instagram.
