Chelsea’s hometown summer festival has gone through three name changes and expanded greatly since its inception as a downtown sidewalk sale 36 years ago.

Now it’s called the Sounds & Sights Festival and will take place July 28-30.

What hasn’t changed are the popular sights — such as the Friday night classic car show downtown with more than 300 automobiles expected and the popular Saturday morning pet parade.

Or its sounds — numerous entertainment acts including the MacPodz on Thursday night, the SunMessengers closing Friday night, and Fifty Amp Fuse concluding the event on Saturday night.

“We’re gearing up for another fabulous fun summer weekend for Chelsea,” said Bob Pierce, executive director of the Chelsea Area Chamber of Commerce.

Also featured at the festival are the KidZone, an art market and a social entertainment tent, as well as an expanded food court. “This is the best lineup we’ve had since I have been involved,” said festival committee member Craig Common in a news release about the festival.

Other activities scheduled during the event include the Chelsea Rotary Duck Race, chicken barbecue, farmers market, kid shows, a kid’s craft tent, a Beatles tribute show and more.

“We are knocked out every year by the support we get from the community and our businesses,” Pierce said.

Plus, the Chelsea Teddy Bear Co. will attempt to break a Guinness Book World Record for a Teddy Bear mosaic on Saturday afternoon.

The festival opens Thursday night at 6:30 p.m. with music on the streets as part of Sounds & Sights summer music series.

Sounds & Sights entertainers will also perform at stages around town on Friday and Saturday night as they do during Sounds & Sights series. The social tent opens at 6:30 p.m. with beer and wine for sale and will remain open until 11 p.m. There is a $5 fee and all ages are welcome.

For more information and a complete schedule, click here or call Chelsea Center for the Arts at 734-433-2787.

Lisa Allmendinger is a regional reporter for AnnArbor.com. She can be reached at lisaallmendinger@annarbor.com. For more Chelsea stories, visit our Chelsea page.