CHELSEA, MICH – Chelsea Area Festivals and Events is proud to announce the return of its annual Sounds & Sights Festival, presented by Rick Taylor Real Estate – Reinhart Realtors, on July 25, 26 and 27 in vibrant downtown Chelsea. In its 43rd season, the weekend event will draw over 15,000 visitors and will feature national and regional live music acts, local food and brew, an open-air art market, classic car show, chalk art contest, and multiple activities for all ages.
Social Tent:
Located behind The Common Grill restaurant, the social tent is open at 6 p.m., with live bands performing from 7 to 11 p.m. Beer and wine will be for sale to those aged 21 and over with valid identification. Admission is $5, all ages are welcome. In addition to the many local sponsors including the St. Joseph Mercy Chelsea, Chelsea State Bank, “Jiffy” Mixes and Chelsea District Library, proceeds from the Social Tent help fund the summer long Sounds & Sights on Thursday Night free concert series.
Thursday, July 25 is billed as ‘Local Spotlight’ and features two rising bands from Michigan. Opening at 7pm is May Erlewine followed by The Accidentals.
Friday, July 26 is ‘Country Night’ and features two of the region’s most popular performers: Ashley Lynn & the Spurs and Drew Hale Band.
Saturday, July 27 is the festival’s traditional ‘Dance Party’ showcasing funk band Metro Soul Band followed by FiftyAmpFuse who performs renditions of classic rock and dance favorites from the 80’s, 90’s and today.
For a complete line up of music events, visit the Sounds and Sights Social Tent website.
http://chelseafestivals.com/festival/social-entertainment-tent/
The KidZone Area
The KidZone area, sponsored by Ann Arbor Pediatric Dentistry, Michigan Medicine, Mudpies and Lullabies, and LAFCU Your Credit Union for Life, will offer activities for children of all ages on both Friday and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Located behind the Clocktower complex, kids will enjoy a variety of shows like Music Man Dave, A2 Magic, bounce houses, Chelsea Fire department demonstrations, ATA Martial Arts demonstrations, Chelsea District Library fun, and more. For a complete list of activities, visit the Sounds and Sights KidZone website.
http://chelseafestivals.com/festival/kid-zone/
Pet Parade
The annual pet parade, sponsored by Chelsea Farmers Supply, is a favorite for all ages. This year’s parade theme, Tails of the Seven Seas, promises an unforgettable opportunity for pets and their owners to strut their stuff downtown. Participants should plan to arrive at Chelsea Farmers Supply, located across from the railroad tracks at 122 Jackson Street, between 9:00 and 9:40 a.m. on Saturday, July 27 to check-in and get lined up for the parade which starts at 10 a.m. For further information on the pet parade call H.K. at Chelsea Farmers Supply 734-475-1777 or visit the Sounds and Sights Pet Parade website. https://chelseafestivals.com/festival/pet-parade/
Classic Cruisers Car Show
Be sure to zip on over to East Middle, East, and Harrison Street on Friday from 3 p.m. to 8 p.m. to see more than 300 classic cars from across the Midwest. Sponsored by Parts Peddler Auto Supply and Golling of Chelsea, this event is an annual favorite for car enthusiasts. Live music features From Grace. For details on how to enter your car into the show, visit the Sounds and Sights Classic Car website.
http://chelseafestivals.com/festival/car-show/
Art Market
The Sounds & Sights Festival Art Market returns July 26 and 27 by popular demand with a hip, contemporary edge. Seize modern culture at this event featuring some of the region’s top makers, collectors, performers and creative boundary pushers. This is not the typical row of art vendor tents, rather Art Collections will be set up at Chelsea District Library, E. Middle Street, and W. Middle Streets with a mix of demonstrators, performance artists, musicians, and vendors. To learn more about the artists, and to see example of their work visit the Sounds & Sights Festial Art Market website. https://chelseafestivals.com/artmarket/
Chalk Art Contest
The Chalk Art Contest, sponsored by Healthy Smiles Dental Group, H&R Block, and Riemco Building Company is scheduled on Saturday, July 27 from 8 a.m. until 4 p.m. Participants will create vibrant colors and works of art at the Clocktower building. Chelsea Area Festivals & Events will award over $1,000 across 11 contest categories. For details on how to participate, visit the Sounds and Sights Chalk Art website.
http://chelseafestivals.com/festival/chalk-art/
Chalk Art Professional Artists
In addition to the festival’s ever popular chalk contest the festival features world-renowned “Street Artists”. Performances take place July 26 and 27 as part of the Art Collections located at Chelsea District Library, E. Middle Street, and W. Middle Street. To learn more about the artists, and to see example of their work visit Sounds and Sights Professional Chalk Artists website.
https://chelseafestivals.com/festival/chalk-art/featured-artists/
Polka Party
On Saturday, July 27, the Social Tent will feature The Kielbasa Kings from 1:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. The Dearborn based polka band performs contemporary and traditional polkas, waltzes and obereks, instrumentally and sung in Polish and English.
Located in the parking lot behind The Common Grill restaurant, the social tent has free admission from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. Beer and wine will be for sale to those aged 21 and over with valid identification.
Food Court
The food court is adjacent to the social tent’s entrance on West Middle Street and offers a variety of food from Big Kahuna Burgers, Ray’s Red Hots, Jet’s Pizza, Amie Jo’s Elephant Ears, Chelsea Kiwanis Food Truck, Smokehouse 52 BBQ, and The Common Grill. Food is served from 5-10pm Thursday and Friday, and noon-10pm Saturday, for vendor details and a list of local restaurants see Food & Drink at the Festival. https://chelseafestivals.com/festival/food/
Thanks to committed sponsors support the Sounds & Sights Festival offers entertainment and activities for all ages that have drawn generations of families to downtown Chelsea time and time again.
For more information, or to volunteer, visit http://www.chelseafestivals.com.
The Sounds & Sights Festival is presented by Chelsea Area Festivals and Events, a 501(c)3 non-profit organization. Held in vibrant downtown Chelsea (14 miles West of Ann Arbor) the event draws over 15,000 visitors annually and features national and regional live music acts, local food and brew, a classic car show, chalk art contest and activities for the entire family. See website for schedule of events: http://chelseafestivals.com/festival/
