Falls Festival of the Arts, art fair in Menomonee Falls, is a one day block party in the heart of historic downtown Menomonee Falls on Main Street, Mill Pond Park and Mill Pond Plaza. The festival hosts local, regional and state artists, art demonstrations, kids art zone, live music, food trucks, beer & wine garden, street performers and a community art project. Competitions the week leading up to the event and during include plein air, chalk art, and sculpture painting.

Falls Festival of the Arts Returns to Downtown Menomonee Falls with a Vibrant New Lineup

The Falls Festival of the Arts is back and bigger than ever!

This year’s festival will showcase a diverse range of local, regional, and state-wide artists, offering something for everyone with art demonstrations, a Kids Art Zone, live original music, food trucks, a beer & wine garden, street performers, and vendors. Visitors can also engage with a free community art project, making it a truly interactive experience.

Originating as a small art walk five years ago, the Falls Festival of the Arts has grown exponentially, thanks to the support of local businesses, organizations, and dedicated volunteers. Today, it is a free, family-friendly event that brings the arts to Menomonee Falls and the surrounding communities, offering opportunities to engage with both visual and performance art.

Leading up to the festival, art lovers can also look forward to exciting events such as a Plein Air Painting Competition and a Sculpture Painting Competition.

Don’t miss out on this unique opportunity to celebrate the talent and creativity of local artists and be part of an unforgettable day of art, culture, and community.

•             Over 100 Artisian Booths
•             Artist Demonstrations & Discoveries Tent
•             Community Art Project
•             Chalk Art Competition
•             Kids Art Zone
•             Street Performers
•             Beer & Wine Garden
•             Live Music
•             Food Court

Leading Up To The Event

-- Plein Air Competition, For details https://www.fallsfestivalofthearts.com/plein-air-competition

-- Painted Sculpture Competition

Watch artists painting LIVE in Mill Pond Park & Plaza /August 16 - 22 Artists have volunteered their time, talent and supplies to paint your butterfly. The butterflies will be judged August 23 for cash prizes that will be awarded to the painters.

Art Block Party on Main Street from Grand to Water Street, Mill Pond Park & Plaza
•             100+ Artist Booths
•             Demonstrations & Discoveries Tent
•             Street Artist Performers & Kids Zone
•             Beer & Wine Garden
•             Live Original Music
•             Food Trucks

for details https://www.fallsfestivalofthearts.com/sculpture-sponsorships

•             Murals & Mixers Trolley Tour

•             Paint the District events

Chalk Art Competition

Chalk Art is for EVERYONE
A chalk competition is an event where chalk artists gather to draw with chalk medium on the sidewalk or street area. Usually each artists gets assigned a square and they draw within a family friendly appropriate theme.

We bring the art making process to you

When artists draw or paint in the street it is very special to experience. They are bringing what would normally only happen in a studio to the public to see. Chalk artists engage the community by showing them art and even inviting questions.

2025 CASH PRIZES
1ST PLACE = $300
2ND PLACE = $200
3RD PLACE = $100
2 HONORABLE MENTIONS = Free registration to next year’s Chalk Art Competition

REGISTRATION DEADLINE AUGUST 18, 2025

2025 Guidelines & Rules For Chalk Artists

Chalk

• ONE 24 box of Pastel Chalk will be provided for registered artists
• If you need additional colors, you may share or exchange chalk with other artists.
• You may also purchase or use your own chalk but it MUST be water-based.
• All unused chalk is yours to keep or please return to the Artist Check-in area.

Artist

• Only registered artists may participate. Payment must accompany registration.
• All artists must read, agree to and sign an Artists Disclaimer & Waiver to participate.
• Art square spaces will be assigned at registration by the FFOA CHALK ART STAFF.
• Artists can begin as early as 8am and should be finished by 3:30pm on Saturday for Judging.
• Artists must be 13 years or older. A waiver will need to be signed by a legal guardian or parent of the artist who is under 18 years of age.
• Each artist will need to email a design concept/ sketch by August 18th to the Chalk Art Director. If no design/ sketch is provided the artist will forfeit their spot on the competition.

Art & Artist Rules

• The event will go on rain or shine. The artists are responsible for protecting their chalk art. Plastic drapes, tape, tents, or canopies can be used as needed. All tents need at least 10 lbs per leg (40+ lbs for a tent)
• Chalk art is only to be produced in designated and assigned areas. Size of concrete area will be 4’ x 4’
• The art created must be suitable for public and family viewing (no nude or lewd work).
• No words, symbols, or caricatures intended as political statements may appear within the art.
• Art created must be culturally sensitive and appropriate, respecting the diversity promoted in our festival.
• Chalk art depicting or intended as an advertisement for a business, product, or service is not allowed.
• No banners, products, samples, or promotional brochures are allowed. Artists MAY hand out business cards.
• FFOA CHALK ART STAFF reserves the right to refuse, stop or eliminate objectionable art or art not consistent with rules.
• Please try to keep your supplies to a minimum and well contained in your space.
• No boom boxes are allowed. You may wear portable headsets.
• No pets, please!
• Your chalk art must only include chalk. Any non chalk props or items used in the artwork will exclude art from judging. No business advertisements in the form of brochures or signage will be allowed in the main categories.
• Chalk Art Festival is a TOBACCO FREE Event. Artists using tobacco will be excluded from judging.
• Use of fixatives is prohibited
• Chalks purchased outside of the festival must be WATER based. No oil pastels or other mediums allowed
• Unless a second chalk space has been purchased all art must stay contained in your own section, no exceptions
• If reproducing an image originally created by another artist (living or deceased), it is important to credit the original artist and the title at the base of your painting
• Cancellation prior to 72 hours before will not get a refund but we can move your registration to a spot for 2026

Suggested Supplies
• Whisk broom or brush for cleaning the drawing surface. Do not blow the dust particles.
• A 2’ x Fu 2’ piece of heavy fabric, carpet square, or cardboard to sit or stand on to avoid smearing your work.
• A soft towel, gardener’s pad, or knee pads to kneel on.
• A chalkboard eraser, foam, terry cloth, or shortcut brushes for blending large areas of color.
• Water and a cloth or sponge to erase unwanted parts of your design.
• Old towels or rags to clean up as necessary.
• Masking tape for creating sharp borders, geometry. Tape must be removed when finished.
• Cotton, Latex, or Nitrile gloves to protect your fingertips and assist in blending colors.
• Sunscreen, sunglasses, or a hat sun exposure.
• Canopies allowed, no more than 10x10 at its base. All tents need at least 10 lbs. per leg (40+ lbs. for a tent)
• Refreshments (Bring water and snacks) Keep open beverage containers away from chalk art.
• No glass allowed.
• Camera to take photos of your creation!

In Case Of Rain
Event will go on Rain or Shine! It will be the responsibility of the artists to cover their own drawings with the tarps or large sheets of plastic and weigh it down. Only in case of severe weather, the event may be canceled.

REGISTRATION FORM
PARTICIPATION PAYMENT

New For 2025

KIDS REGISTRATION LINK
KIDS REGISTRATION FEE LINK

PRIZES FOR 1ST PLACE, 2ND PLACE, 3RD PLACE

REGISTRATION FEE= $10 per child

REGISTRATION DEADLINE IS AUGUST 18 AT MIDNIGHT

QUESTIONS: please contact Cindy - [email protected]

Guidelines & Rules for KID Chalk Artists

Child Artists

• Only registered artists may participate. Payment must accompany registration.

• All children and parents must read, agree to and sign an Artists Disclaimer & Waiver to participate.

• Art square spaces will be assigned at registration by the FFOA CHALK ART STAFF.

• Children can begin as early as 9am and should be finished by 3:00 pm on Saturday for Judging.

• A waiver will need to be signed by a legal guardian or parent for all children.

• All children MUST be supervised by a PARENT

Chalk

• ONE container of Chalk will be provided

• You may also purchase or use your own chalk but it MUST be water-based.

• All unused chalk is yours to keep or please return to the Artist Check-in area

Art & Artist Rules

• The event will go on rain or shine. The child artists, along with their parents, are responsible for protecting their chalk art. Plastic drapes, tape, tents, or canopies can be used as needed. All tents need at least 10 lbs per leg (40+ lbs for a tent)

• Chalk art is only to be produced in designated and assigned areas. Size of concrete area will be [4' x 4']

• The art created must be suitable for public and family viewing (no nude or lewd work).• No words, symbols, or caricatures intended as political statements may appear within the art.

• Art created must be culturally sensitive and appropriate, respecting the diversity promoted in our festival.

• Chalk art depicting or intended as an advertisement for a business, product, or service is not allowed.• No banners, products, samples, or promotional brochures are allowed.

• FFOA CHALK ART STAFF reserves the right to refuse, stop or eliminate objectionable art or art not consistent with rules.

• Please try to keep your supplies to a minimum and well contained in your space.

• No boom boxes are allowed. You may wear portable headsets.

• No pets, please!

• Your chalk art must only include chalk. Any non chalk props or items used in the artwork will exclude art from judging. No business advertisements in the form of brochures or signage will be allowed in the main categories.

• Use of fixatives is prohibited

• Chalks purchased outside of the festival must be WATER based. No oil pastels or other mediums allowed

• Unless a second chalk space has been purchased all art must stay contained in your own section, no exceptions

• If reproducing an image originally created by another artist (living or deceased), it is important to credit the original artist and the title at the base of your painting

• Cancellation prior to 72 hours before will not get a refund but we can move your registration to a spot for next year

Suggested Supplies

• A 2’ x 2’ piece of heavy fabric, carpet square, or cardboard to sit or stand on to avoid smearing your work.

• A soft towel, gardener’s pad, or knee pads to kneel on.

• A chalkboard eraser, foam, terry cloth, or shortcut brushes for blending large areas of color.

• Water and a cloth or sponge to erase unwanted parts of your design.

• Old towels or rags to clean up as necessary.

• Sunscreen, sunglasses, or a hat sun exposure.

• Canopies allowed, no more than 10x10 at its base. All tents need at least 10 lbs. per leg (40+ lbs. for a tent)• Refreshments (Bring water and snacks) Keep open beverage containers away from chalk art.

• No glass allowed

In Case Of Rain

Event will go on Rain or Shine! It will be the responsibility of the artists to cover their own drawings with the tarps or large sheets of plastic and weigh it down. Only in case of severe weather, the event may be canceled.

Venue: The streets of Downtown Menomonee Falls (Main Street, from Grand to Water Street)Mill Pond Plaza and Park will be transformed into a dynamic celebration of creativity and culture.

Artist, Artisan, Maker And Art Vendor Info