Annual festival includes free kids crafts, contests, games and more
DEARBORN – The 40th annual Dearborn Homecoming festival Aug. 2 to 4 will provide a number of free and affordable activities for families looking to have a fun weekend without breaking the bank.
Guests can expect the return of popular and free children’s games, giant inflatables, crafts and more on all three days of the festival at Ford Field Park, 22051 Cherry Hill Road.
Most of the children’s activities will be in the Hilltop Area Kids’ Zone, sponsored by Beaumont Health, including:
• Free giant inflatables from noon to 5 p.m. on Friday and noon to 8 p.m. on Aug. 3 and 4.
• Free children’s games with a carnival feel, but gentle style, will take place from 1 to 5 p.m. on Aug. 2 and noon to 5 p.m. on Aug. 3 and 4.
• Free “wacky” contests such as musical chairs, a hula hoop, potato sack, hacky sack, and a “Dearborn’s Got Talent” contest, as well as a water balloon toss for kids of all ages throughout Aug. 3 and 4.
• Children’s crafts at the ACCESS/Arab American National Museum tent from noon to 5 p.m. Aug. 2, and 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Aug. 3 and 4.
• The Kids’ Art Making Tent, presented by the Dearborn Community Arts Council, is open from noon to 5 p.m. on Aug. 2 and noon to 7 p.m. on Aug. 3 and 4.
• Free children’s crafts at the Detroit Institute of Arts tent from 11 a.m.-7 p.m. on Aug. 3 and 4.
• Free Home Depot Children’s Crafts from noon to 2 p.m. on Aug. 3.
New this year, the Ford Amateur Astronomy Club will have telescopes pointed at Jupiter, Saturn, and the moon for public viewing from 9 to 11 p.m. all three days.
In addition to the Hilltop Area children’s activities, events for children will take place throughout the festival grounds. They are:
• A free Children’s Fishing Derby from the Dearborn Rotary Club at the Ford Field Pond from 8-11 a.m. on Saturday, Aug. 3.
• Free entertainment, including magicians, clowns and stilt walkers can be seen around the festival on all three days.
• Healthy Dearborn offers a free Family Bike Ride at 9 a.m. on Aug. 3 starting at the tennis courts. Helmets and waiver forms are required.
• Healthy Dearborn will also offer a number of free activities from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. all three days in the Beaumont Wellness Tent.
Visitors to Homecoming can also enjoy two dozen carnival rides for all three days of the festival from 11 a.m. to 10:30 p.m.
There are currently two discount carnival pass options offered by carnival operator Wade Shows Inc. To take advantage of the discounted options, the passes must be purchased by 11:55 p.m. Aug. 1 at www.cityofdearborn.org/homecoming.
The three-day Mega Pass can only be purchased in advance online. It grants unlimited rides during carnival hours for $44 plus a $1.50 service fee.
When purchased online, the full-day wristband, which allows one day of riding for all carnival attractions, costs $15 plus a $1 service fee.
Wristbands also can be purchased on site during the carnival and cost $15 for a half-day band (11 a.m. to 5 p.m.) and $22 for a full-day wristband (11 a.m. to 10:30 p.m.). A $10 companion wristband is available for parents to ride with their young children, with some restrictions.
Individual ride tickets also can be purchased at Homecoming. There are no refunds for any carnival ride tickets, wristbands or the Mega Pass.
The festival will conclude each night Aug. 3 and 4 with highly anticipated firework displays.
For 40 years, Homecoming has been a tradition and is coordinated by the city of Dearborn and the nonprofit Dearborn Community Fund. The presenting sponsor is once again Beaumont.
For more information about Homecoming, go to www.cityofdearborn.org/homecoming.