There’s not much more to say about the Chalk Walk beyond what I said yesterday, but this seemed like a good chance to respond to some of yesterday’s comments. I always appreciate comments. I know from the numbers I see that other people are out there, but a dialogue about the topic always feels a little warmer and less isolated than just writing and throwing the words out into the cyber universe.
Ally, who also felt jostled a bit as she tried to look, made a good point about the location: If not Market Square, then where? She mentioned the only logical replacement, which is the World’s Fair Park. I’m afraid it would lose something by moving there. Of course, there is always the alternative I mentioned in connection with the Rossini Festival, which was to close Gay Street. The problems there, though would be the brick sidewalks, so that wouldn’t work.
Randy actually saw one of the bike riders deliberately trying to destroy the drawings. I have to admit I would not have been able to remain civil if I’d actually seen that happen. Not that it would have stopped the person, but it would have made me feel better to try. I’m with Randy in that I do not understand the mentality of someone who would do such a thing. I would have probably tried to knock his bike out from under him and gotten arrested which would have produced a “Blog From a Knoxville Jail,” which the world probably does not need, so just as well I didn’t see him.
Michael pointed out that bicycles are supposed to be walked through Market Square and he’d like to see the same restriction placed on the downtown sidewalks, though enforcement seems to be absent in any case. I knew the people riding advertising bikes had to walk them through the square, but I’d never thought about others. It makes sense but it puts a dent in my plans to take four-year-old Urban Girl out onto the square to practice her riding. It just seems like a perfect place on an uncrowded day.
Greg’s point that having the event in a condensed area adds to the flavor of the event and how the artists must appreciate the attention is a good one. It does feel more like a “happening” because of the crowd density and, as a writer, I can certainly affirm that solitary pursuits like mine feel better when interrupted by occasional external affirmation.
His other point bears emphasis. He said, “The crowd was big, but not a problem. Just had to relax and walk slow.” This is one of my problems when I’m running about taking pictures, usually between other obligations or with a four-year-old in tow – or even other family members. All of that adds up to not simply slowing down and taking in the event for the pleasure it offers. I’ve got to get better at that. I’ve always said the only way to see a museum is alone and that probably applies to some other events.
Special thanks to KD, Mr. T and Rusha for the kind words. I always appreciate that. My career, as most of yours probably, rarely offers a direct expression of appreciation for hard work. I get more than my share of that on this job and that’s one of the great things about it.
So, this post concludes the Chalk Walk for another year. More great events are coming to our downtown after a little pause for Easter weekend. Enjoy today’s photographs and tomorrow we’ll be onto something else. To see all these photographs plus another forty or so that I didn’t have room to include on the blog, go to the Face Book Page and look at the album “Knoxville Parades, Festivals and Events, VIII.”