Photo courtesy of the city of Dearborn
The Dearborn Outer Drive Kiwanis Club’s Turbo Tutle Race at 4 p.m. Aug. 5 is one of the many activities available to the public at Dearborn’s 33rd annual Homecoming festival Aug. 3 through 5 at Ford Field Park. For more event information, go to www. cityofdearborn.org.
DEARBORN — The city’s Homecoming festival will celebrate its 33rd year Aug. 3 through 5 at Ford Field Park, 22051 Cherry Hill.
The festival will feature fireworks Saturday and Sunday. Saturday’s fireworks sponsor is Kenwal Steel Corp.
The festival is famous for its entertainment, with the headline act on Saturday being War, the band. There also will be music on three stages throughout the weekend
This year, the city is joining again with the nonprofit Dearborn Community Fund in organizing the festival, which is a major fundraiser for more than two dozen Dearborn-based service clubs and cultural and charity groups.
War — 8:30 p.m. Aug. 4, Main Stage
War, the longtime feel-good funk and rock band, is in the spotlight on the Main Stage.
The band members, favorites at festivals across the country, will engage the audience as sing and dance to “The World is a Ghetto,” “All Day Music,” “Spill the Wine,” “The Cisco Kid,” “Low Rider,” and “Why Can’t We Be Friends?”
Lonnie Jordan, founding band member, states that the music of the band brings people together for peace, love and harmony.
Riot House — 8:30 p.m. Aug. 4, Main Stage
Contemporary hits and ’80s and ’90s rock music will be performed by local band Riot House on Aug. 5. They take the Main Stage at 8:30 p.m.
Other stage entertainment
Starting off the Main Stage festivities on Aug. 3 will be Dearborn’s Rhythm & Blues Blast! Featuring Thornetta Davis and Laith Al-Saadi from 8:30 to 10 p.m.
Additional musical entertainment throughout the weekend includes Friday acts Dr. Pocket. and The United Snakes.
Saturday’s stage entertainment features the Players Guild of Dearborn, Mustard’s Retreat, Barry Rickey and the Bomb Squad.
Sunday’s stage entertainment features Mustard’s Retreat, Junction Groove, Pete “Big Dog” Fetters Band, and Fifty Amp Fuse.
New for 2012
The Art Area located south of the bridge will be open 11 a.m. – 6 p.m. Aug. 4 and 5. The Detroit Institute of Arts’ “Drop-in Art” Project and the Henry Ford Community College Art Department are just some of the features of this new venue.
The Going Green Foundation: Green Alternatives for Daily Living will be on the top of the hill from 1 to 4 p.m. Aug. 4. Environmental clubs, businesses and organizations active in the region will be on hand to give insights on reducing your carbon footprint. Sponsored by the Green Safe Products.
Also new is a Special All-Stars event from 9 a.m. to noon Aug. 3. This is a time for people with special physical or mental needs to enjoy free carnival rides (limited to 9 a.m. to 11 a.m.) and other activities, presented by the Dearborn Area Chamber of Commerce. Pre-registration required at dearbornareachamber.org by July 31.
Carnival — $13 online specials for all-day wrist bands
The carnival is open 11 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. all three days of Homecoming.
Advanced sales of all-day wrist bands are $12, plus a $1 service fee, until 11:59 p.m. Aug. 2 at www.buymycarnivaltickets.com/event.asp or www.cityofdearborn.org.
All-day wrists bands purchased onsite Aug. 3 to 5 are $18. Other ride options are available.
There are no refunds on carnival tickets.
Car Show
The Cruisin’ Dearborn car cruise organized by the Dearborn Area Chamber of Commerce will begin at 7 p.m. Aug. 3 at 19th District Court and travel down Michigan Avenue to Outer Drive to Cherry Hill and into Ford Field about 7:30 p.m. The classic car show will last until about 10 p.m.
Nonprofit groups raise money
Dearborn service clubs and charitable organizations will be selling food, beverages and other items from about 30 booths in the Food Court and other areas to raise money for their causes that support Dearborn residents.
High school reunions, Camp Dearborn counselors reunion
Homecoming got its name from the festival’s draw of current and former residents, and Dearborn school alumni. High school reunion picnics for Dearborn, Edsel Ford and Sacred Heart high schools are on Aug. 4; picnics for Fordson, Lowery and St. Alphonsus high schools are on Aug. 5.
Also this year, Camp Dearborn youth counselors will host a reunion at 4 p.m. Aug. 4 in the picnic area.
Plenty of low-cost, free children’s events
Free, “gentle” carnival-style games for children are offered from noon to 5 p.m. Aug. 4 and 5. Every child receives a small prize at every game.
Free inflatable rides are offered for children noon to 8 p.m. Aug. 4 and 5, sponsored by the University of Michigan-Dearborn.
And “wacky games” for all ages, like hula hoop at 4 p.m. Aug. 4, bubble gum blowing at 4 p.m. Aug. 5, and spaghetti slurp at 3 p.m. Aug. 5. Other games take place from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Aug. 4 and 5.
The Dearborn Rotary Club and Eppinger Manufacturing again will sponsor the Free Fishing Derby at the Ford Field Pond beginning at 8 a.m. Aug. 4.
Free shuttles
There will be free parking and free shuttle service from Dearborn High School, sponsored by Henry Ford Health System, and free shuttle service from the west Dearborn business district along West Village Drive, from Military to Monroe.
The Dearborn High shuttle runs from 6 to 11 p.m. Aug. 3, and noon to 11:30 p.m. Aug. 4 and 5. Parking is free.
Another free shuttle is available on West Village Drive, from Monroe to Military, from 5 to 8:30 p.m. Aug. 3 and 1 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Aug. 4 and 5.