Chalk drawings of Tim Walz at this downtown Minneapolis art festival? Could be.

It's August, which means the State Fair is upon us, and so is the end of summer. Almost all of the summer art festivals are over, but one remains. The sixth annual Downtown Minneapolis Street Art Festival on Nicollet Avenue, geared especially toward families, will enliven the streets this weekend. Visitors can draw on the sidewalk in chalk, support local artists and enjoy the sunshine.

"It's a way to activate Nicollet Avenue and a way to think of creative uses for downtown that drive people to come together," president and CEO of the Minneapolis Downtown Council Adam Duininck said. "What's driven recovery both here and in downtowns in other areas around the country is events, gatherings and festivals."

This year 27 artists will live make live chalk and spray paint artworks. There also will be a Saturday afternoon concert series, food trucks, a community mandala and arts activities for all ages.

This year's festival runs Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Nicollet Mall between 6th and 11th streets.

Artist Tara Aiken, who got into chalk drawings during the pandemic when she was at home with her kids, is curious about what she might draw this year. She often works in photo realism and makes portraits of individuals.

"I'm not going to unveil the piece until the festival itself, but I primarily stick to sports themes — Minnesota sports, like the Twins," Aiken said. "I also do a lot of pieces related to movies or pop culture."

Some of her most popular works are realistic drawings of the Hulk and the Joker. But with the recent announcement of Gov. Tim Walz as Kamala Harris' vice presidential running mate, she's considering a portrait of the Minnesota governor.

"I'm not saying it will or it will not happen, but there are thoughts in my head, of course, and I'm sure of other chalk artists,as well," she said.

Although she tries to avoid politics and religion when it comes to the art, this one could be an exception.

"I think that we can get away with including a portrait of someone like Tim Walz being that this is a Minneapolis and Minnesota festival and the news that came out [on Tuesday]," she said.

For the first time, the indie artisan fair Jackalope Arts will be part of the Downtown Minneapolis Street Art Fair, with more than 100 local artisans selling fashion, jewelry, paper goods, art, photography, food and more.

"What gets me excited is seeing families and people with their strollers or groups of people coming to downtown to see it as a safe space and welcoming space for everybody," Duininck said. "There aren't a lot of other art festivals and neighborhoods that have skyscrapers as backgrounds. You can start at Peavey Plaza and go up and down Nicollet Avenue."