Chelsea’s Sounds & Sights Festival eliminates admission fees, introduces new attractions

This story is part of a series about arts and culture in Washtenaw County. It is made possible by the Ann Arbor Art Center, Destination Ann Arbor, Larry and Lucie Nisson, the University of Michigan Arts Initiative, and the University Musical Society.

The annual Sounds & Sights Festival returns July 24-25 with two days of free live entertainment, art, family activities, and community celebrations throughout downtown Chelsea. A notable addition to the festival this year is a partnership with GIG – The Art of Michigan Music, which will expand the festival’s focus on both visual arts and music.

Presented by Rick Taylor of Reinhart Realtors, the festival has eliminated admission fees for all entertainment areas, allowing visitors to enjoy concerts, exhibits, and activities at no cost. Festivalgoers will also find free parking throughout the city.

“You could call it a music festival, but we definitely try to highlight the sights, like visual arts, as well,” says Terris Ahrens, the event’s director. “We call it Sounds and Sights for that very reason.”

That philosophy is reflected across the festival’s many attractions. Friday evening’s popular classic car show is expected to feature more than 360 vehicles displayed throughout Chelsea’s historic east-side neighborhood, where residents join the festivities by hosting barbecues and welcoming visitors into the community.

Throughout the weekend, visitors can browse a curated art market featuring more than 20 artisans, watch professional chalk artists create large-scale works in a cash-prize competition, enjoy live music across multiple stages, and explore a revamped kids’ zone with activities including a petting farm, bounce houses, and remote-control car courses. A teen zone returns Saturday with age-specific games, crafts, and activities, while local food vendors and restaurants will be spread throughout the festival grounds.

“Among all the zones, we have something for everybody,” Ahrens says. “No matter where you’re at, there’s going to be something to see, something to do, and good food to enjoy.” 

This year will also bring the debut of the Chelsea Art Alley, a permanent outdoor gallery showcasing approximately 30 works by local artists on weather-resistant panels. The installation, curated by local artist Brenda Fineman, allows visitors to vote for their favorite pieces, with the winning artist earning a residency at Geek Brush Studio. Ahrens says the goal is to create artistic experiences that remain part of the community long after the festival weekend.

“We’re taking a community space and creating something that’s free and open year-round, all times of the day,” Ahrens says. “Anytime someone is in Chelsea, they can explore this alley and our Sculpture Walk.” 

GIG’s presence at the festival is another new addition, providing visitors another opportunity to interact with artists and their work directly. Now in its third year, GIG celebrates the photographers, graphic designers, poster artists, album illustrators, and videographers whose work shapes Michigan’s music scene. After holding events in Jackson, the organization will bring its largest showcase yet to Palmer Commons’ Social Commons during the festival.

“We showcase the visual art of music. We fit in quite well here,” says GIG President Chuck Marshall. “This is a great opportunity for our artists to get a bigger audience because Sounds & Sights already has such a large built-in audience.”

Twenty artists from communities across southern Michigan will exhibit and sell concert photography, poster art, album designs, and other music-inspired works. Visitors can also browse an art and music market featuring prints, apparel, and vinyl records, while free workshops and panel discussions at Ugly Dog Distillery will cover topics ranging from mental health to artist websites, graphic design, and music photography.

Marshall hopes the exhibit helps visitors recognize the often-overlooked artists working behind the scenes of Michigan’s music industry.

“I hope people come away with a knowledge of who these artists are and an appreciation of what they do,” he says. “This is art that is just as important and creative and vibrant as things you would find in a fine arts museum.”

For more information about the performance lineup, festival activities, and volunteer opportunities, visit the Sounds & Sights website. 

“We want people to come downtown for the festival [and] enjoy all the music, art, food, and drinks,” Ahrens says. “Then I want them to come back. Chelsea is a wonderful place to visit all times of year.”