(Chelsea Update would like to thank Bridget Favre for the information in this story.)
Sounds and Sights on Thursday Nights, presented by Golling Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram of Chelsea, presents its free summer concert series every Thursday through Aug. 13 from 6:30-8:30 p.m.
Professional artists perform at 11 staged areas located throughout downtown Chelsea featuring music, dance, comedy, and family entertainment.
Here is the scoop on things to do with kids:
Chalk Art Cube:
Located next to the Clocktower on Main Street, the Chalk Art Cube provides free chalk and plenty of space for kids of all ages to draw while listening to music from the Glazier Stage. Each week, the Chalk Art Cube provides props and chalk backdrop for fun pictures. All you need to bring is your smile and your imagination.
On July 25 we host the 3rd Annual Chelsea Chalk Art Contest in the same area, click for details.
Kid’s Stage:
Located in the courtyard behind the Clocktower Commons, the entertainment for this stage is always geared toward kids: jugglers, magic, face painting and more! Check out the schedule to see performers each week.
Balloon Alley:
Located on Main Street, in the alley next to The Potting Shed on Main, Three Generations Twisters create complementary balloon animals, hats and toys for the kids.
SculptureWalk Chelsea
12 unique sculptures are placed throughout downtown, see on map. Kids love searching for all of them, and talking about what they see. Take a selfie with a sculpture and post to Instagram using #SWalkSelfie for a weekly chance to win a “Piggy Parfait”. Contest details are here online at chelseafestivals.com.
Dance All Night:
With 11 stages located throughout downtown, your whole family can enjoy a variety of music from blues to Celtic rock to jazz and more! Check out the weekly line-up on www.chelseafestivals.com. The stages at East Middle and South Street are blocked off from traffic so kids have room to show their moves.
Sweet Tooth:
Check out the huge assortment of retro candy at The Potting Shed located on West Middle Street. While you are there, visit the kid’s boutique on the second floor for unique toys, clothes and books. Ice cream, you scream? Check out Zou Zou’s Cafe on corner of Main Street and West Middle or Plaid Melon in the Clocktower Commons.
Plenty of Food options:
Easy and super kid friendly food can be found throughout Downtown. Grab a “Piggie Parfait” at Smokehouse 52 BBQ, a hot dog at Awesome Dawgs or Jets Pizza at East Middle Street. Both Cleary’s Pub and The Common Grill offer kids’s menus if you prefer to dine in. Right above the Kid’s Stage (with an entrance both on Main Street and by the Gazebo) are ice cream and sandwiches at Plaid Melon. And though Chelsea Alehouse Brewery draft beers are for Mom & Dad, they do offer a kids menu and have an assortment of board games to keep the kids entertained.
Before or after the music, visit Thompson’s Pizza, voted best pizza in Washtenaw, and Biggby Coffee located south of downtown near the intersection of Jackson Road and M-52.
