It’s time to start getting your decorations together for your child’s bike and a costume for your child because the annual Children’s Fair Parade takes place Tuesday, Aug. 22, kicking off the 80th Annual Chelsea Community Fair.
Organized and sponsored by the Chelsea Kiwanis Club and the Chelsea High School Key Club, participants assemble in the parking lot behind The Common Grill beginning at 4:30 p.m.
And, this will be the 40th year that superintendent Sam Vogel has organized this popular event.
Bikes and children’s costumes are judged at 5 p.m., so be sure to get there by 4:45 p.m. with your child. The parade steps off promptly at 5:30 p.m.
The parade is open to all children, ages 3–12 years, who will ride and walk from downtown Chelsea to the fairgrounds. Many kids decorate their bikes and haul decorated wagons or dress up as characters for the parade. When the kids enter the fair through the lower gate, games and other activities await their arrival in the Main Arena.
The parade will proceed west on West Middle Street to Grant Street where the parade will turn left. From there, the group will proceed to Pierce Street and turn right on Taylor Street. The parade will cross Old US-12 and proceed down Chelsea-Manchester Road to the lower gate and into the fairgrounds.
This year, a section of the parade route goes through a road construction area and Vogel asks parents and children to be very careful at the corner of Taylor and Pierce Street near South Meadows Elementary School.
Parents can meet children and pick them up in the shopping center lot. It is important for safety that kids clear Chelsea-Manchester Road as soon as possible as the police will only close it for the arrival of the parade.
Parents are reminded that for the safety of everyone, they should walk with younger children in the parade.
No gas powered vehicles or horses are allowed to intermingle with the children during the parade. Kids may ride small battery powered vehicles, however no gas powered vehicles may be ridden by kids in the parade.
There are also premiums for the entrants, ($6, $5, $4) for 1-3 placements, which are divided into four classes.
- 3-5 year olds and parents are requested to walk with their young children in the parade.
- 6-8 year olds
- 9-12 year olds
- Miscellaneous, mixed ages
All children taking part in the parade will receive a ride ticket good for one ride at the fair.
The Children’s Fair Parade marks the official start of the 80th annual Chelsea Community Fair, which runs from Aug. 22-26. for a schedule of events, please click here.
