Bucerías, Mexico - Chalking it up at the 4th Annual Bucerias Street Festival. This extravaganza runs January 23rd to the 25th, 2013, on Lazaro Cardenas in the heart of Bucerías. Admission is free and everyone will get to see fabulous chalk artists in action, sample super food, check out local crafters, and enjoy live music. Last year, around 1500 people attended the annual event.

This year, the festival runs from 9 am to 6 pm on Wednesday and Thursday, and on Friday you can watch the artists share their craft with area students and orphans starting at 9 am and running through the afternoon. There are three different facets of this event.

The Chalk Art Walk showcases around 12 artists from all over Mexico including Durango, Puebla, Jalisco and Nayarit. Some have been participating in the event since the beginning. They will begin their street chalk drawings on Wednesday at first light and will continue through early Thursday, January 24th.

The theme is Sol de Mexico (Mexico Sun.) This reflects the sponsorship of eSun Energy, a solar company in Bucerias, for the winning art work. All the artists will be depicting the power of the sun. On Thursday at 5 pm, the winning work will be announced and awarded $5000 pesos and there are cash prizes for second and third place.

"This event continues to evolve as it progresses," says Christy Ann Beguesse, Event Organizer, "I started the festival right after the swine flu scare. We needed to promote the area in order to boost the economy and bring foot traffic to Bucerias. There is nothing better than combining art, food and local artisans."

The second facet of this event is the Taste of Riviera Nayarit. Around 12 restaurants will offer food samples for $30 pesos or less starting at 2 pm on Wednesday and Thursday. Some of the restaurants involved are Ginger, Ernesto's, Prime 159 and Sonora Grill.

There will also be live music to go with the food and the art. Bryan Savage will take the stage on Wednesday at 2 pm, and on Thursday, The Traveling Band will help you get your groove on, also starting at 2 pm.

The third facet of the 2013 Bucerías Street Festival is the Craft Faire. Local artisans will be showing and selling their wares along the street right beside the chalk artists. There will be jewelry, clothes and home decor.

This event not only highlights local talent but raises money for Manos de Amor Orphange. Raffle tickets will be sold and there is a top prize of $10,000 pesos. The drawing will be held at 6 pm on Thursday.

On Friday, local school kids and children from the Manos de Amor Orphange will be picking up the chalk and trying their hand at drawing under the tutelage of the artists. They'll have a good time while participating in the workshop and learning from seasoned street artists.

Ron Morgan Properties in Puerto Vallarta and Bucerías is proud to be a sponsor of this event, which not only focuses on Mexican talent, but also boosts area interest and provides funds for the orphanage. Chalk up another win for the Bay of Banderas!

Ron Morgan Properties specializes in luxury real estate in the Marina Vallarta area and beyond to La Cruz de Huanacaxtle and Punta de Mita, as well as along the southern shores of Banderas Bay, from the Romantic Zone, Amapas and Conchas Chinas down to Mismaloya and even Costa Alegre. For more information, visit RonMorgan.net.

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