Via Arte Italian Street Painting Festival. Held Saturday and Sunday at The Marketplace, 9000 Ming Ave., Bakersfield, CA. Most years, the Via Arte Italian Street Painting Festival is a sunny affair, with more than 100 artists out on the pavement at The Marketplace creating temporary chalk masterpieces.

"It’s like a sport: You have to put in some sweat," said Katrina Rocha, the featured artist for the annual event put on by the Bakersfield Museum of Art. Even if the temperatures are mild, the sun may not be, so that requires preparation. For Rocha, and many others, that means lots of sunscreen, umbrellas and hats.