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Photo courtesy of city of Chelsea.
The City of Chelsea will host the annual ChelseaFest and the Big Kaboom is the city’s largest event each year. This year, it will take place on Saturday, June 29.
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Staff photo.
A fireworks display from Pyro Shows of Alabama closes the second annual Chelsea Big Kaboom. The Chelsea Big Kaboom was held on June 30, 2018. Staff photo.
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Staff photo
Crowds enjoy performances from local and regional bands, including headliners The Compozitionz, at the second annual Big Kaboom. The Chelsea Big Kaboom was held on June 30, 2018. Staff photo.
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Staff photo
Local band NCN performs at the Chelsea Big Kaboom. The Chelsea Big Kaboom was held on June 30, 2018. Staff photo.
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Staff photo
Four-legged friends joined the Independence Day festivities for the second annual Big Kaboom. The Chelsea Big Kaboom was held on June 30, 2018. Staff photo.
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Staff photo
Kids at the Big Kaboom enjoyed inflatables, face painting, visits from mascots and more. The Chelsea Big Kaboom was held on June 30, 2018. Staff photo.
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Photo courtesy of Deborah Neu.
0614 Big Kaboom
Pyro Productions Inc. sets up a firing board for an upcoming firework display.
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Photo by Sydney Cromwell.
A fireworks display from Pyro Shows of Alabama closes the second Chelsea Big Kaboom.
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Staff photo
Thousands of guests turned out for Chelsea's CityFest and Big Kaboom on Saturday, July 3. There were vendors, food trucks, children's activities, live music and more. Staff photo.
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Staff photo
Thousands of guests turned out for Chelsea's CityFest and Big Kaboom on Saturday, July 3. There were vendors, food trucks, children's activities, live music and more. Staff photo.
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Sydney Cromwell
Crowds enjoy performances from local and regional bands, including headliners The Compozitionz, at the second annual Big Kaboom. The Chelsea Big Kaboom was held on June 30, 2018.
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Sydney Cromwell
The band NCN performs as part of Chelsea's second annual Big Kaboom. The Chelsea Big Kaboom was held on June 30, 2018.
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Sydney Cromwell
A fireworks display from Pyro Shows of Alabama closes the second annual Chelsea Big Kaboom. The Chelsea Big Kaboom was held on June 30, 2018.
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Sydney Cromwell
Crowds enjoy performances from local and regional bands, including headliners The Compozitionz, at the second annual Big Kaboom. The Chelsea Big Kaboom was held on June 30, 2018.
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Sydney Cromwell
A fireworks display from Pyro Shows of Alabama closes the second annual Chelsea Big Kaboom. The Chelsea Big Kaboom was held on June 30, 2018.
Chelsea’s biggest summer celebration returns Saturday as ChelseaFest & The Big KaBoom takes over Main Street with live music, a kids parade and one of the region’s most anticipated fireworks shows. The 2025 festival will again take place along Chelsea Main Street, with food trucks, family activities and a patriotic ceremony to honor Independence Day.
Headlining the entertainment is crowd favorite Trotline, a five-member Southern rock and country band that has toured the Southeast since the late 1990s. The evening kicks off with the Yankee Doodle Dandy Bicycle Parade at 6 p.m., followed by opening remarks and music leading up to the fireworks show at 9 p.m., synchronized to music broadcast on KOOL 96.9 FM.
In Chelsea’s early years as an incorporated city, a modest neighborhood fireworks display lit the fuse on what would become a cherished summer tradition.
The first “Big KaBoom” lit up the sky in 2015 in the park area of the Chelsea Park subdivision. Fireworks were launched from a ridge near the city’s water tower, with families gathered between Ashworth Drive and Parkmont Way. It was a humble start, but the response was enthusiastic — Chelsea wanted more.
By 2017, city leaders expanded the event into what is now known as ChelseaFest and the Big KaBoom. Originally called Chelsea CityFest, it moved to a larger field behind Chelsea Corners Way, along County Road 47, creating room for thousands to enjoy live music, food trucks, craft vendors, a children’s parade and activities for all ages. With the support of city staff and community volunteers — including planner Gerri Roberts, Council Member Casey Morris and Council Member Tiffany Bittner — the festival quickly became a highlight of the summer calendar.
Wayne Morris, the city’s public information officer, says the city’s fireworks show actually dates back to 2007. “But very few people would remember that year,” he said. “We were just getting started and we tried to get the word out as best we could.”
For several years, he said, the event was always held on July 3 in order for people to still enjoy other celebrations on July 4. But the 2017 reorganization changed that, as Chelsea’s celebration is now held on the Saturday before Independence Day. KOOL 96.9 FM (WXLY-LP) provides a synchronized soundtrack for the fireworks, now launched by Pyro Shows of Alabama behind the Chelsea Fire Station.
ChelseaFest & The Big KaBoom
Where: Chelsea Main Street, Chelsea
When: Saturday, June 28
Schedule:
6 p.m. – Kids Bicycle Parade (Yankee Doodle Dandy theme)
• Participants: All Chelsea children
• Location: Chelsea Corners Way & Chelsea Road
• Notes: Decorate bikes, trikes and wagons to celebrate Independence Day
6:15 p.m. – Opening Ceremony
• Pledge led by Cub Scout Troop 353
• Community prayer
• National Anthem
6:30 p.m. – Announcements and sponsor shoutouts
7 p.m. – Live music: Trotline
• Five-member Southern rock and country band
• Touring the Southeast since 1997
9 p.m. – Fireworks finale
Event Guidelines:
• No personal ATVs, golf carts or Gators
• No smoking or vaping
• Coolers allowed — koozies required
• Tents allowed on perimeter only
• No glass containers
• No foul language
• No grills
• No drones
• All children must be accompanied by an adult
More Info: chelseafest.com
