To end the summer every year the our city closes Main Street and throws a party.  Food, fun and families are a great way to end the summer before the snow hits…ack I can already see it coming.

We participate for work every year but that means I also get to have fun with all the other things going on.  What fun would it be if I couldn’t crawl through the safety house and talk to all the people?

The crowds were huge despite the stifling heat and crowds of horse flies trying to eat us for dinner.

Our new mayor even got in on the fun and sat in the dunk tank for the local High School Marching Band.  People were lined up for awhile to throw the soft balls…or just push the button.  Taunting each person as they threw just got him more wet.  Such a good sport

We participated in our traditional way with music and celebration.  This year we had a stage.  Vindication for not being in the middle school musical

I really was there I promise.  I was the photographer. ::click, click::

The biggest attraction this year was Create A Matisse.  The community banded together to turn a side street into a giant work of art.

Everyone got in on the action….

some more than others!

I’m not an artist but I can color paint within the lines.

Know why I requested a black star?  I can be a bit messy and black is much easier to get out of my uniform or blend in at least.  Could you imagine if I had done that yellow star?

If you picked up a brush to put paint to, uh, street you got a cool little certificate showing what you helped create.

Next year’s work of art is going to be the size of a football field…well really the unused grocery store parking lot. That one will be permanent…this years was water based paint.  Drawing the community together through art (pun intended).

Thanks Sidewalk Sam for the opportunity to make art in such a crazy way.  

How about checking out :

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