Central Avenue Sidewalks to Be Chalked Up During Tulip Festival

Central Avenue Business Improvement District, Equinox Inc., leadership from the Albany County Convention & Visitors Bureau, community leaders, artists and the public are coming together for this event.

This community-wide event, which is part of the 65th Annual Albany Tulip Festival, will feature artists from all over the region as they compete for prizes in a sidewalk chalk art contest. The contest will be judged by notable community leaders including: Michele Vennard, President and CEO of the Albany County Convention & Visitors Bureau, Alana Akacki, Director of Exhibits for the Arts Center of the Capital Region, and Donna Garramone, Owner of Arlene’s Artist Materials in Albany. A winner will be chosen in three categories: Grand Prize-Adult, Grand Prize-Youth, and Central’s Choice Award, a people’s choice award selected by the public. Winners will be announced at 2:30pm.

The event will also include musical performances by Ruth Pelham of the Music Mobile and balloons by “The Balloon Gals.” The event is free and open to the public, rain or shine.

Drawing Up Central is partially funded by an Albany County Convention & Visitors Bureau Foundation Hospitality Grant. The Foundation Hospitality Grants are supporting programs that will help build and sustain Albany County tourism destinations, attractions, events and other tourism-related activities. The grants encourage collaboration between nonprofit organizations, community groups, and hospitality businesses – further extending the economic impact of tourism and business.

For additional event details, please visit: http://www.centralbid.com/sidewalk-art-2013

For additional information on the Foundation Hospitality Grants, please visit: http://www.albany.org/about/grant/

The media are invited to cover this fun, camera-friendly event and share their firsthand coverage with readers and viewers.