Press release
PERRY, N.Y. – Downtown Perry will once again come alive with color, creativity and community spirit as the 20th Annual Perry Chalk Art Festival transforms village sidewalks into a spectacular outdoor art gallery on Saturday, July 11, 2026, from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. (Rain date: Saturday, July 18.)
The Wyoming County Chamber & Tourism office will host a ribbon cutting ceremony at 1:00 p.m. at the festival plaza to celebrate the event and its milestone anniversary.
One of Wyoming County’s premier summer events, the free festival invites visitors to experience more than 45 large-scale chalk masterpieces created by talented artists throughout downtown Perry. This year’s artwork will be inspired by the theme “Pursuit of Happiness,” offering visitors a unique opportunity to watch intricate pastel creations come to life before their eyes.
Festival-goers can observe professional artists at work, including Feature Artist Cheyenne DeMarco, who will create an original work at the Festival Plaza entrance, and Erika Lalita, who will complete a larger-than-life chalk mural beneath the Festival Plaza pavilion.
Adding to this year’s milestone celebration, past featured artists from throughout the festival’s 20-year history
have been invited back to help commemorate the anniversary.
The Perry Chalk Art Festival offers far more than incredible artwork.
Throughout the day, visitors can enjoy live musical performances featuring bluegrass, folk, jazz, blues and traditional
favorites, while browsing more than 60 vendors offering handcrafted goods, artwork and unique local products. Regional food trucks and concessions will provide a variety of delicious dining options, making it easy to spend the entire day exploring downtown Perry.
Families will find plenty of opportunities to join the fun, including youth chalk artists competing for prizes and interactive chalk art activities where children and adults alike can create their own colorful masterpieces.
The festival also coincides with the popular Perry Farmers’ Market and Summer Saturdays Arts Series, where visitors can shop fresh locally grown produce, baked goods, specialty foods and handmade products from more than 15 farm vendors while enjoying live entertainment and artisan demonstrations. Together, the events create a vibrant downtown atmosphere
celebrating some of the best of Western New York’s arts, agriculture and community.
Visitors are also encouraged to take part in the Tour de Perry Community Bike Ride and explore a special exhibition featuring the work of Cheyenne DeMarco at the Arts Council for Wyoming County, making July 11 one of the busiest and most exciting summer Saturdays in Perry.
Following the completion of judging and awards, the Festival Plaza will remain closed through
Sunday afternoon, giving visitors an extended opportunity to admire the finished artwork before it fades away—a reminder of the temporary beauty that makes chalk art such a unique artistic experience.
The Perry Chalk Art Festival is made possible through generous support from local government, businesses, individuals and the Perry Area Chamber of Commerce. Additional funding is provided through the Statewide Community Regrants Program, a regrant program of the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of the Office of the Governor and the New York
State Legislature and administered by the Arts Council for Wyoming County.
WHAT: Ribbon Cutting for the Perry Chalk Art Festival
WHEN: Saturday, July 11, 2026 from 8:30am – 4:30pm
WHERE: Main Street, Perry, NY