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It Took A Wacky Village

Updated: May 2


Last Saturday in Marquand, Missouri, the 573 Chalk Festival turned the sleepy town into a kaleidoscope of chaos and creativity. Hosted by the City of Marquand, 573 Magazine, Mineral Area Council on the Arts, Num Nums restaurant, the mysteriously named Yellow She Shack and a pile of other people and sponsors, this shindig was proof it takes a wacky village to make magic—Art for Art’s Sake and nothing lasting.


Street chalk art of a colorful fish on asphalt, surrounded by pastel sticks at the Chalk Art Festival in Marquand, Missouri. ZuZu Smugala is steated  and text "573 MAGAZINE" are visible nearby.

The parking lot bloomed with chalk art as kids and grown-ups scribbled psychedelic goldfish and wonky portraits of SpongeBob, who grinned despite his chalked-on unibrow, and crazed penguins and frogs.  Jazz music floated from a makeshift stage, where a Jazzman named Kevin improvised a tune about a rogue raccoon.  Meanwhile, stone stackers teetered on the river town building gravity-defying towers until a rogue breeze toppled their dreams.


Artist, Amy Sell of Amy Lynn Illustrations drawing colorful face with chalk on asphalt. Surrounded by chalk boxes, wearing a cap. Art is vibrant, framed by white lines.
What's you lookin' at?
573 Chalk Art Festival shows Person in a black shirt stacks rocks on a circular mat with "575 MAGAZINE" text. Surrounded by similar setups on a textured ground.
Some people are drawn to the beauty of a stone stack.
All fun aside, the people and business owners of Marquand are the most super nice people. Without all their support, this event could not have been a FREE-FOR-ALL and surely not been as great of an event.
Child winking, holding a doll with pacifier. Wears a black shirt with "99% Sweet" text and cartoon graphic. Outdoor setting. Playful mood. At the 573 Chalk Art Festival.
99% sweet.

Num Nums’ cake walks were pure pandemonium. Granny Ethel, 92, elbowed her way to a triple-layer chocolate cake, cackling as she outmaneuvered hip-hop dancers freestyling nearby. Those dancers, led by a dude called “Crank,” popped and locked so hard a crowd formed, chanting “Go, go, go!” until he accidentally moonwalked into a chalk masterpiece of a groovy frog with sunglasses who oddly enough looked like Elton John from the 80s.


The Yellow She Shack, rumored to be a clothing store and speakeasy with a secret handshake, passed out vintage jackets to some of the chilly artists. Lemon & Honey Twins served neon drinks that made everyone giggle uncontrollably—totally legal by the way. By late afternoon, the festival was a glorious mess: chalk dust on every face, jazz notes tangling with hip-hop beats, and stones stacked like modern art gone rogue and a very large white dog with a woman named Tina.


As the day came to a close, Ex-Mayor Denny took the mic, chalk unibrow-smudged, and declared, “Marquand’s wacky, and we love it!” The crowd cheered, cake crumbs flying, proving that in this tiny town, a wacky village makes the coolest chaos.


Take a ride on the 573 Chalk Express.
Chalk art on asphalt depicts a swirling sky and buildings. "Lauren Baron" and "#21" are written in white chalk. Parking lot setting.
Lauren won the fastest artist award. Really, she was a fast draw.
A child named Garett wearing a cap kneels on asphalt, stacking rocks in a tower at the 573 Chalk Art Festival. 573 Magazine circles are around. Others are blurred in the background.
Dude needs to become an engineer.
Person from Hip Hop Dance Studion from Cape Girardeau, Missouri breakdancing on pavement with chalk words, "Art for Art's Sake." Another person in background, photographing the scene. Energetic vibe.
Art For Art's Sake!
Child in yellow sweater smiles on pavement holding chalk-drawn balloons with "It's a Beautiful Day" text. Colorful chalk art surrounds. At the 573 Chalk Art Festival in Southeast Misouri
She was all in!
Artist in hat creates colorful chalk mural of person and horse on pavement. Urban setting, focused, creative atmosphere at the 573 Chalk Art Festival.
A boy and his trusted steed.
Young woman in white shirt dances energetically on pavement. Three people watch nearby under a canopy. Trees and parked cars in the background. At the 573 Chalk Art Festival.
Talented dancers make their art.
A person draws a chalk sunburst on asphalt in a parking lot. A blue chair and bag are nearby. The mood is creative and focused. At the 573 Chalk Art Festival.
Some artists thought out of the box.
Kids and  Misty Brown play on a chalk-decorated parking lot at the 573 Chalk Art Festival. A girl lies on the ground among colorful balloon drawings, creating a fun, lively scene.
Things flew away!
Child with chalk-covered hands smiles in a parking lot, surrounded by colorful chalk drawings. Another person sits nearby. Playful mood. At the 573 Chalk Art Festival.
Hands got chalky.
Elderly woman with braided hair sits outdoors in a green shirt, facing right. Blurred background shows pavement and colorful items. A 573 Chalk Art Festival.
Hair was braided.

People in a line on a paved area with chalk writing "ART for ART'S...", tents and trees in the background. Casual, outdoor gathering for the 573 Chalk Art Festival.
Cakes got walked.
Artist drawing colorful chalk dragon on pavement. "FaceBook Arixarby Ink" written nearby. Chalks and boards visible in background.
There was shameless self-promotion. Ha Ha!
Chalk drawing of two green creatures with pink bellies and smiling faces on asphalt. Grass grows from the crack above them, resembling hair. Artist Amy Sell of Amy Lynn Illustrations at the 573 Magazine Chalk Art Festival.
Gremlins made an appearance.
Chalk art on asphalt depicts a pond with fish and lily pads. The design features blue water, yellow and green pads, creating a tranquil scene. 573 Magazine. 573 Chalk Festival.
Koi fish swam!
Chalk art festival on pavement with colorful text "573 MAGAZINE 2025", people drawing, rock piles, and casual, creative atmosphere.

Special thanks to Ex-Mayor Denny, Mary and her shack, Gail and her hall, Katey and her goodies, Amanda, Diane the manager of gifts and prizes, Wolfy the Event Manager, Hannah the check-in lady, Charlie and Marianne, Kevin and Sarah of Lush Life, Crank and Fingerprint Hip Hop Dance Studio, The Unstoppable Beverly Brown, Lisa, Misty and MoMo of Fredrock, Artist Pam, Artist ZuZu, Artist Terri, the 4H, Num Num's, Yellow She Shack, MACOA, City of Marquand and all the financial supporters who enabled us to make it a FREE-FOR-ALL. We hope to see you at the 573 Chalk Festival next year!





Get Out There!  Dance. Stack rocks. Sing something.  Draw something. Volunteer for something.  Do something.  Do anything. Take that class. Get that new job. Start that new business. What one person can do, another can do. That sunken sofa will be fine without you. 


Pics & words - T. Smugala




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