Chalk on the wild side

The Chalk-It-Up! Festival turns 25 this year, which means two things: (1) You really are getting old, and (2) That the city comes together every Labor Day Weekend to raise money for kids' arts education is a pretty cool thing.

In keeping with the big anniversary, this year promises to be the biggest ever, with sprawling chalk art and performances from an extensive lineup of local acts. To name just a few: Mondo Deco, Kevin Seconds and The Brodys are all playing on Saturday, September 5, and on Sunday, September 6, there will be performances from Century Got Bars, Lauren Wakefield and Maddy Sipes and the Painted Blue. Monday, September 7, catch Esteban Villa, Rat Stomp and the Off Years, plus a closing performance by Drop Dead Red (pictured).

For those who want to get their chalk on, it's easy to claim your square of the sidewalk for a sponsorship of $150. Artists will receive a box of 24 chalk pastels, a T-shirt and free refreshments. A number of community squares will also open to the public, and for the first time ever, the festival is offering a numminigrants of $500 to young artists and youth-arts organizations; applications can be filled out online.

The festival will be chock full of craft vendors, food trucks and additional activities for the kiddos, so warm up that chalking elbow and support the heck out of some arts education. 10 a.m.-6 p.m., Saturday, September 5, through Monday, September 7; free. Fremont Park, 1515 Q Street; www.chalkitup.org.