Chelsea Area Festivals and Events is proud to announce the return of its annual Sounds and Sights Festival, presented by Golling Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram of Chelsea, July 27-29 in downtown Chelsea.
In its 41st 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 events activities for all ages.
Building on Chelsea’s Sounds and Sights on Thursday Nights, a free multi-concert series located in downtown Chelsea each Thursday night during the summer months, The Sounds and Sights Festival is a two-day, three-night event that offers something for everyone.
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. Admission is $5 and all ages are welcome. In addition to the many local sponsors including the City of Chelsea DDA, Chelsea State Bank, “Jiffy” Mixes and Rick Taylor Real Estate, proceeds from the Social Tent help fund the summer long Thursday Night free concert series.
Thursday, July 27 is billed as ‘Local Spotlight’ and features three bands with Chelsea connections; Opening at 7pm is Jill Jack, followed my Thunderwüde, and headlining Joe Hertler and The Rainbow Seekers.
Friday, July 28 is ‘Country Night’ and features two of the region’s most popular performers: Kari Holmes and Alan Turner.
Saturday, July 29 is the festival’s traditional ‘Dance Party’ showcasing funk band Root Doctor 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.
The KidZone Area
The KidZone area, sponsored by Robin Hills Farm and Kimber Zatkovich of Reinhart Realtors, 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, bounce houses, Chelsea Fire department demonstrations, A2SO Instrument Petting Zoo, Flying Aces Professional Frisbee Team, ATA Martial Arts demonstrations, character meet and greet with Princess Belle and “ROARY” mascot from Detroit Lions, Chelsea Lanes games, Chelsea Robotics Club, Shoot-a-Puck, and more.
For a complete list of activities, visit the Sounds and Sights KidZone website.
Art Market
The Chelsea Art Market, curated by River Gallery and sponsored by VisitAnnArbor.org, is located at East and West Middle Streets, has redefined its atmosphere with cool, hip, and affordable art from emerging artists and craft persons.The juried show is open on both Friday and Saturday from noon to 8 p.m. Visitors will watch downtown street artists demonstrate techniques in clay, glass, copper foil, jewelry making, painting, and wood carving.
For more information, visit the Sounds and Sights Art Market website.
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, this event is an annual favorite for car enthusiasts. For details on how to enter your car into the show, visit the Sounds and Sights Classic Car website.
Chalk Art
The Chalk Art Contest, sponsored by Healthy Smiles Dental Group, is scheduled on Saturday, July 29 from 8 a.m. until 4 p.m. Participants will create vibrant colors and works of art at the Clocktower building. Chelsea Area Festivals and Events will award over $1,000 across 11 contest categories. For details on how to participate, visit the Sounds and Sights Chalk Art website.
Polka Party
On Saturday, July 29, 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.
A food court, featuring Vi’s Polish Cuisine, is adjacent to the social tent’s entrance on West Middle Street. In addition to Polish food, the food court offers a variety of food from Hot Papi’s Empanadas, Cold Steel Grill, Amie Jo’s Elephant Ears, Kiwanis Truck, Smokehouse 52 BBQ, Thompson’s Pizza, Catered Coffee and The Common Grill.
Thanks to continuous sponsors support the Sounds and 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.
