Newtown Lions Club will bring color, creativity, and community spirit to the Fairfield Hills campus next month when it hosts the Second Annual Chalk‑the‑Walk Sidewalk Art Contest.

The event, which will kick off Arts Festival Week in Newtown, will take place on Saturday, September 12, from 10 am to 6 pm, in the courtyard adjacent to Newtown Municipal Center. A rain date is set for Sunday, September 13.

Chalk‑the‑Walk invites residents of all ages to transform the walkways of Fairfield Hills into a temporary outdoor gallery. Participants may compete in two categories — Youth (15 and under) and Adult (16+) — with $100 prizes awarded in each. The contest’s top honor, The David Merrill Memorial People’s Choice Award, carries a $250 prize and will be selected by public vote.

Winners will be announced one week later, on Sunday, September 20, during Newtown Arts Festival. The festival, organized by Newtown Cultural Arts Commission, typically draws 5,000 to 8,000 visitors and features artists, performers, makers, and vendors from across the region.

Community On-Ramp To Arts Festival

Laura Lerman, chair of the Cultural Arts Commission, said Chalk‑the‑Walk has quickly become an important part of the festival’s mission to support emerging artists and encourage community participation.

“The Newtown Arts Festival raises funds for local arts grants and scholarships for graduating seniors,” Lerman said. “Chalk‑the‑Walk extends that spirit by giving residents a joyful, low‑barrier way to create art together. It’s a wonderful way to begin Arts Festival Week.”

The Lions supply chalk and knee pads, making the event accessible to families, students, and first‑time artists. Registration is $5 per square for early registration, available through newtownlions.org, and $10 per square on the day of the event.

Building Buzz For Arts Week

Newtown Lion Joan Alexander, one of the organizers of Chalk‑the‑Walk, noted that sidewalk art competitions have become popular pre‑festival events nationwide.

“Arts festivals across the country use participatory events to build excitement — Denver’s Chalk Art Festival is a great example,” Alexander said. “We’re thrilled to bring that same creative energy to Newtown and to see how our community makes this tradition its own.”

The contest debuted last year and drew strong participation from both youth and adults. Last year’s prize winner was Meagan Ferriter. An art teacher at St Rose of Lima School, Ferriter will serve as one of the judges this year.

Service Through The Arts

Newtown Lions Club President Patricia Cuti said the event reflects the club’s long-standing commitment to community service.

“The Newtown Lions are a diverse group of men and women with a wide range of backgrounds and experiences, united by a desire to collaborate with a great group of people to help others,” Cuti said. “We aim to establish Chalk‑the‑Walk as an annual Newtown tradition that is in keeping with our motto: We Serve.”

Proceeds from the Arts Festival weekend support local arts initiatives, including grants and scholarships for graduating high school seniors. The prizes awarded at Chalk‑the‑Walk similarly aim to encourage and celebrate local artists.

A Day Of Color At Fairfield Hills

With its mix of competition, creativity, and community fun, Chalk‑the‑Walk offers residents a chance to contribute to the artistic spirit that defines Arts Festival Week. Organizers encourage early registration and welcome spectators to visit throughout the day to watch the artwork take shape — and to vote for their favorite pieces.

For more information or to register, visit newtownlions.org.