VENICE- Venice’s International Chalk Festival is called off this year due to red tide.


The Chalk Festival, scheduled from November 9th–12th was set to host more than 250 artists at the Venice Airport Fairgrounds.


For the past eight years the festival has hosted the largest gathering of world–renowned pavement artists ever assembled in one location.


But red tide this year, will postpone the festival.


Denise Kowal, Founder and board chair said, “..the financial risk to our small volunteer organization, in addition to not being able to guarantee a safe and enjoyable experience for everyone involved, was too high.”


Festival organizers are now exploring dates to reschedule in spring of next year.