Color begins to dot sidewalks and driveways throughout the lakes area as artists of all ages emerge from the confines of their homes to participate in a chalk drawing contest.
In an effort to bring the community together and promote a little fun during the COVID-19 pandemic, Brainerd Community Action and the Brainerd Jaycees decided to host a social distancing chalk contest for anyone interested.
“It’s about trying to make sure that everybody is just banding together,” said Dave Badeaux, Community Action executive director and Brainerd mayor, on Thursday, April 9. “It’s tough to be stuck at our houses away from each other.”
“I immediately said, ‘What a fantastic idea,’ and reached out to them and asked if they would allow us to do something similar,” Badeaux said.
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The rules are simple. Grab some chalk and create whatever masterpiece comes to mind. Inspirational quotes and feel-good designs are encouraged. Then snap a picture of the work and upload it to the comment section of Brainerd Community Action’s Facebook post from April 7 announcing the contest.
Entries can be submitted until 11:59 p.m. April 19. A small group of judges will then choose the top three chalk designs to win gift cards to The Local 218. First place is $250, second is $100 and third is $50. Winners will be announced at 6:30 p.m. April 20.
The Local 218 owner PJ Severson said he hopes the contest will give families something fun to do at home, especially when the weather is nice.
“With the kids being home at school and needing activities that they can do, and then also the fact that they can win something, I think that will make a lot of people go out and do it,” Severson said.
And $250 to The Local 218, he added, can go a long way.
“There’s families out there who can’t afford to do that extra something,” Severson said. “So hopefully when the people win it’s a few family night meals where Mom doesn’t have to cook, and we’ll do the cooking for them.”
Artists of all ages are welcome to participate, and multiple entries can be submitted per person. Colorful entries featuring hearts, rainbows and messages encouraging passersby to be happy and stay safe have already flooded the comment section.
Jessica Bodell of Pillager said she was looking for something fun and creative to do while spending time at home when she saw the post for the contest pop up on Facebook. She and her son Jensen and nephew Tate Rardin spent the better part of an afternoon putting their imaginations to work creating a big multi-colored heart picture with the words “stay home.”
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Deena Perkins of Brainerd said she was grateful for the contest as an opportunity for her daughters to express themselves through their pandemic-related pieces of art and said they enjoyed it a lot.
Depending on how big the contest gets, Badeaux said there may be some extra prizes thrown in along with the gift cards.
“Really what we’re hoping to do is, one, bring a little brightness to the community,” Badeaux said, “but also show people that this is a time to start banding together and coming up with fun ideas so that we can all kind of keep our sanity and show our pride for the area as well.”
THERESA BOURKE may be reached at theresa.bourke@brainerddispatch.com or 218-855-5860. Follow her on Twitter at www.twitter.com/DispatchTheresa .
