Photo courtesy of the city of Dearborn
A spaghetti eating contest is one of the free wacky contests available at Homecoming. The contests are for children of all ages Aug. 2 and 3.
DEARBORN – Families looking to have fun without breaking the bank can find plenty to do at Dearborn’s Homecoming
festival Aug. 1 to 3, including carnival rides, children’s games, wacky contests, inflatable rides and live entertainment all weekend long.
Fireworks displays on Aug. 2 and 3 cap off these days.
A tradition for 35 years, Homecoming is an event coordinated by the city and the nonprofit Dearborn Community Fund.
This year’s presenting sponsor is Oakwood Healthcare.
The festival is at Ford Field Park, 22051 Cherry Hill.
Visitors to Homecoming can enjoy two dozen carnival rides all three days from 11 a.m. to MotorCity 10:30 p.m.
Carnival values are available online for those who purchase wristbands in advance.
Wade Shows Inc., the carnival operator, offers a 3-day Mega Pass for unlimited rides for $40 plus a $1 service fee if purchased in advance by 11:55 p.m. July 31. Go to www.cityofdearborn.org to purchase in advance.
Also online for advanced purchase is the popular all-day wristband, which costs $13, plus a $1 service fee if purchased through 11:55 p.m. July 31 at www.cityofdearborn.org.
The wristbands allow one day ridership of all carnival attractions and can be used on any one day, Aug. 1 through 3.
Wristbands also can be purchased on site during
the carnival for $15 for a half-day band (11 a.m. to 5 p.m.) and $20 for a full day (11 a.m. to 10:30 p.m.)
A $10 companion wristband is available for parents to ride with their children (restrictions apply).
Individual tickets also can be purchased at Homecoming.
There is no refund for carnival ride tickets, wristbands or the Mega Pass.
Homecoming features several events that are free:
• Giant inflatable rides for bouncing noon to 8 p.m. Aug. 2 and 3, sponsored by Nickel & Saph Inc.
• Children’s games from noon to 5 p.m. Aug. 2 and 3, sponsored by Village Community Credit Union.
• Wacky contests like the apple sauce slurp, pie-eating, hula-hoop and kick the shoe contest, for children of all ages Aug. 2 and 3.
• The “top of the hill” will feature an Art Area from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Aug. 2 and 3, including a children’s activity tent.
• Home Depot provides a children’s wood workshop
from noon to 2 p.m. Aug. 2 and 3.
• The Dearborn Rotary Club again offers a Children’s
Fishing Derby at the Ford Field Pond from 8 to 11 a.m. Aug. 2.
• Back this year is the popular Special All-Stars Day from 9 a.m. to noon Aug. 1.
This event is for children and adults with special physical, intellectual or emotional needs.
Free rides for the Special All-Stars will be offered 9 a.m. to 11 a.m., with other free activities lasting until
noon. Pre-registration is required by July 31 at www.dearbornareachamber.org.
Go to www.cityofdearborn.org for more information about Homecoming.