Need to Know: Chalk & Chocolate Tour This Weekend

Chalk and chocolate might see an odd combination, but Royal Oak pulls it off with its usual flair this weekend in the

After an opening night charity gala Friday night, the weekend's activities feature chocolate creations and original chalk art by 20 professional artists and more than 80 students at various downtown restaurants and retailers. Look for illustrations on sidewalks, walls and windows.

The event was created by the Royal Oak Association of Retailers and the Royal Oak Restaurant Association and proceeds will benefit the Royal Oak Neighborhood Schools and Arts Club Fund. 

Here's what to know before you go:

Cost: It's free to attend and view the wide variety of artwork on the ground and in windows. 

When: Saturday and Sunday

• The Chalk Tour runs 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. Pick up a program and map at Fifth and Washington to follow along.
• A Chocolate Happy Hour will take place at participating restaurants 4-7 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.

The art:

• Check out Keith Coleman’s 12-foot-tall fire breathing dragon he showed at Art Prize in Grand Rapids. Not that you can miss it, but look for it at Fifth and Washington at the  sign.
• Watch as about 80  students create art on the Pedestrian Mall by the Baldwin Theatre at Fifth between Lafayette and Washington.
• Admire more than 100 chalk art illustrations by elementary school students adorning the windows of downtown Royal Oak shops and restaurants.
• Marvel at original chalk art by 20 professional artists.

The chocolate:

Participating restaurants will offer special menu items, chocolate samples, and (at some places) a chocolate happy hour. At Gayle’s Chocolates, for example, you'll find a wide variety of creative chocolate creations, including chocolate chalk sticks.

The weather: The National Weather Service forecasts a high of 56 today with occasional showers before 2 p.m. and breezy. Sunday there's a chance of rain with a high near 55. 

Participating restaurants and businesses:

Antica Pizzeria Fellini












Gemmayze 
LaRoche

















Urbane Life
Wooden Hangers

More information: chalkandchocolate.com