Carnival tickets are available online for the best value for Dearborn’s Homecoming festival Aug. 6 to 8. Ride all day for $11 when tickets are purchased by midnight on Aug. 5. Go to wadeshowsinc.com. Other values can be found at the festival, including $15 all-day wristbands. No refunds are given for carnival ride tickets.
DEARBORN – Families looking to have a fun without breaking the bank can find plenty to do at the carnival and other Homecoming favorites such as spirited games, wacky contests, live entertainment and fireworks.
A city tradition for 30 years, the Homecoming celebration will be Aug. 6 to 8 at Ford Field. This year the presenting sponsor is Oakwood Healthcare System.
Wade Shows Inc., again will offer advanced sales of all-day wristbands for carnival rides for $11.
The bands allow ridership of all carnival attractions from 11 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. on one day. Bands can be ordered through midnight Aug. 5 at www.wadeshowsinc.com.
They can be used on any one of the three days of the festival.
Those who do not wish to purchase advance wristbands still can buy them at the carnival. The cost is $12 for a half-day band (11 a.m. to 5 p.m.) and $15 for a full day, as well as individual ride tickets.
An $8 companion wristband is also available for parents and guardians to ride with their children. Restrictions apply.
There is no refund for carnival ride tickets.
Organizers say parents will find plenty of events that are free or very inexpensive. They include:
• Free giant inflatable rides for bouncing.
• Free children’s games, including a small prize for those under 12, from noon to 5 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday.
• Free wacky contests like the pudding slurp, pie-eating, hula-hoop and kick the shoe, for “kids of all ages” on both Saturday and Sunday.
• Find strolling musicians and clowns entertain the crowds throughout the festival.
• Grab your poles and try your luck at the Ford Field Pond for the free fishing derby from 8 to 11 a.m. on Saturday, sponsored and organized by the Dearborn Rotary Club.
• Children who love to shoot hoops can take a shot at the basketball skills and fun course from 3 to 9 p.m. on Friday, and the Youth All-Star Games from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Saturday. On Sunday, Basketball Training Camp is offered from 1 to 3 p.m. for ages 6 to 9 and again from 3 to 5 p.m. for ages 10 to 13. At 5 p.m., the High School Excellence program is offered. Organizers say small fees may apply but that the events put together by Hype Athletics at the Tennis Courts are a ball.
• The entire family is welcome to watch the live entertainment scheduled to take place on several different stages throughout the weekend.
• The University of Michigan tent at the Children’s Activity Field will feature tattoos, U of M sun visors, innovative science fun, and members of the Society of Automotive Engineers student organization will bring their own car to sit in. All activities are free at the tent.
• There is a “Guitar Hero” contest at 1 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday. A $5 fee will apply. Registration begins at noon each day.
The festival also will have historical re-enactments, arts and crafts for sale, plenty of live entertainment, and food stations benefiting Dearborn nonprofit community groups.
For more information about Homecoming go to the city’s official Website, www.cityofdearborn.org, or call (313) 943-2285.