The city of Chelsea is getting ready for the first Celebrate Chelsea day, which is part of the statewide 2010 Small Towns and Downtowns initiative.

Council member Juanita Champion said during Celebrate Chelsea, which will be March 6 from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. at Chelsea City Hall, the City Council will dedicate a historical marker from the Alabama Tourism Department.

“It’s a homecoming, really. It’s a homecoming celebration,” Champion said.

The day will also include food and drink, arts and crafts, a business expo, inflatables, face painting and other children’s activities. The city’s cookbook, “A Taste of Chelsea,” which will include Chelsea family recipes and historical information, will also go on sale that day.

During the historical marker dedication ceremony, current city officials will honor past council members. Shelba Nivens, who wrote the text on the historical marker, will read the text to the audience.

Last but not least, students from Chelsea Park Elementary School will sing the city song, “The Heart of Chelsea.” Wayne Morris, who wrote the song, will direct the students.

Champion said Chelsea officials are excited about the event because it’ll show off the city in its best light.

“We want everybody to have a good time and to realize what living in Chelsea can be,” Champion said.

She said public response has been excellent.

“All my booths are full. I have a waiting list. The response has just been marvelous,” she said.

Although this is the first year for Celebrate Chelsea, Champion said she hopes it will become an annual event.

“We haven’t planned that yet, but I’ve got a feeling it will be,” she said. “It depends on how the people support it.”