Chalk The Block at the Riverwoods

Every year in September the Riverwoods outdoor mall in Provo, UT hosts one of my favorite events, Chalk the Block. Artists from around the area come to do their best drawings in parking stalls at the Riverwoods in support of a good cause. We have attended Chalk the Block three years now and this coming weekend (September 22-24) will be our fourth time.

How to Get There

The Riverwoods mall is located in the northern most part of Provo just before the mouth of Provo Canyon. You just take University Avenue north in Provo and the mall will be on your left. There is a large sign with electronic screens on it at the entrance. 

It is not hard to find, but during events parking can be difficult. This is especially true of Chalk the Block where all of the parking spaces at the front end of the mall are being drawn in by artists. Normally it is best to turn left at the entrance sign and head west until you get the the parking lot for the movie theater and try to park there. If you luck out and find parking it is just a short walk across the parking lot to the mall. If you don't find parking follow signs to the overflow lots where they have shuttles to bring you back to the mall.

What You Will See

You will see lots of amazing chalk art. Beyond that it is hard to say, you can see many different types, styles, and themes of art at Chalk the Block. Depending on which day you go will determine how finished the drawings will be when you see them. If you go on the Thursday you won't see much done but you will see lots of artists working on their pieces. If you go on Saturday most of the pieces will be done so you won't see much of the drawing taking place. 

You just walk up and down the rows of parking spaces looking at the different drawings. There are many different skill levels at the event so you will see all kinds, including special "featured" artists who get large spaces and do more complex drawings. Some drawing will be "perspective" drawings and will have a certain place where you should stand to appreciate the full effect. 

Here is just a sampling of what we have seen at Chalk the Block:

Sum Up

Chalk the Block is a really fun free family activity. It is great for kids because so many of the pictures are often of things kids like. It is hard to predict what the weather will be like in September in Provo so make sure if it is hot that you bring water with you. Of course since it takes place in a parking lot the event is fully wheelchair and stroller friendly. Plan on at least and hour or two to see all the drawings. 

Adventure + Gear Fest in Salt Lake

This past weekend we arrived back from Moab Friday evening and the next morning immediately went to the Adventure + Gear Fest at the South Towne Expo Center. Having just gotten back from a week of hiking and camping we were in a great mood to be excited about everything we saw there. Here is the run down on some of our favorites.

Activities:

This was a very active expo with a lot more to do then just talk with vendors. When we came in we could sign waivers at the entrance and get a wrist band with a QR code on it that they could scan at the different activities to keep you from filling out a bunch of different waivers for each place. Alternatively you could get waivers at the specific activities if you wanted. 

I did several of the activities but Meagan didn't feel up to doing them after hiking all over Moab her back was a little sore. I climbed both rock walls, despite the fact that I had unwisely worn my sneakers. I also took a paddle board out in a wading pool, road a big tricycle, and climbed inside a giant truck. Here are some videos and pictures. I really enjoyed the focus on activities at this particular expo; it made it a lot more fun in my opinion.

Products:

There were quite a few vendors at this show selling everything from vacation packages to hammocks to glasses cleaner. We actually made two purchases which is unusual for us, but there are times when you get really good deals because companies offer show prices. 

Unshoes 

We knew that Meagan was going to need some new, more comfortable sandals for hiking and for our adventures this summer, so we looked at several different options in the Chaco-style sandals at the show. Finally she decided on the Unshoes and we got a good show price on them. They look like they will be very comfortable (they had some rocks that she walked on) and the team at the booth was really friendly and helpful.

Z Clear Lens Cleaner

In our more unexpected purchase of the day we ended up buying some lens cleaner from a company called Z Clear. It was a bit impulsive on my part, but the salesman was extremely good and when he handed me back a pair of glasses that were as clear as the day I bought the cleaner. I was sold. I have notoriously dirty and scratched glasses, so I hope that in the long run it will turn out to be a good purchase. 

Tentsiles 

We didn't buy one, but I wanted to. These awesome hammock-tents use three straps to suspend your shelter in the air between trees. They were probably one of the more awesome products that we saw at the show. I tried one out and seemed to be very comfortable as well as being very awesome. 

Freebies:

We also got a couple things just for showing up. First we were greeted by the Jeep booth, which gave us t-shirts, that would have been a little bit more exciting if they had had some that weren't larges, but it was free. 

There was also a whole set up from the Recreation Outlet store where they were selling a lot of camping gear at pretty good prices. They had a wheel you could spin to get something for free, so of course we spun it. I really wanted a self inflating camping pillow since I had not been very happy with my regular pillow (which is normally awesome) while camping in Moab. I was so excited when I spun the wheel and it landed on free pillow! Meagan's spin landed on a water proof card case for river rafting, fishing, or water hiking.

Sum Up:

The Adventure + Gear Fest was a blast. We had a lot of fun and saw a lot of great products. They haven't posted the dates for next year on their website yet, but definitely keep an eye out for it if you live in the area.