Venice Chalk Festival Postponed Until April 1 Due To COVID-19

SARASOTA COUNTY, FL — The annual Chalk Festival, originally scheduled Oct. 29 to Nov. 1 at the Venice Municipal Airport fairgrounds, has been postponed to the spring because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The event’s organizers announced the postponement of the festival, which has been moved to April 1-4, on Facebook, calling it a “difficult decision.”

“We believe it would be irresponsible for our organization, during these times, to encourage the large amounts of tourism and crowds needed to sustain the festival. We are humbled and appreciative of all who have been supportive and enthusiastic and look forward to being able to gather in the springtime,” organizers wrote on Facebook.

In the meantime, they’ll produce smaller events that can be enjoyed while social distancing.

The organization is currently hosting its Avenue of Art, which features more than 150 hand-painted sidewalks at Burns Square, located at the corner of Laurel Street and S. Orange Avenue in downtown Sarasota.

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The Avenue of Art is accessible by self-guided tour and is open 24/7. This year’s event celebrates Sarasota County’s centennial anniversary.

The original international Chalk Festival launched in Burns Square in 2007, moving to the airport fairgrounds in 2014.

Both the Avenue of Art and the Chalk Festival are organized by Avenida de Colores, a nonprofit organization.