Homecoming 2012 overview
The annual event is made possible in part by presenting sponsor Oakwood Healthcare.
As always, it will feature spectacular fireworks Saturday and Sunday. Saturday’s fireworks sponsor is Kenwal Steel Corp.
And, the festival is famous for its entertainment, with the headline act on Saturday being WAR, the band. There is also 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. Saturday, 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. Sunday, Main Stage
Contemporary hits and 80’s and 90’s rock music will be performed by local band Riot House on Sunday, Aug. 5. They take the Main Stage at 8:30 p.m.
Other stage entertainment
Starting off the Main Stage festivities on Friday, Aug. 3 from 8:30 – 10 p.m. will be Dearborn’s Rhythm & Blues Blast! Featuring Thornetta Davis and Laith Al-Saadi.
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. on Saturday and Sunday. 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 on Saturday from 1 – 4 p.m. 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 on Friday from 9 a.m. to noon. 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 by July at dearbornareachamber.org by July 31.
Blankets on the hill
People can put their blankets on the hill to view the fireworks after 8 a.m. Saturday and Sunday. All blankets must be removed by midnight both nights.
Blankets cannot be more than 8 feet by 8.
Car Show
The Cruisin’ Dearborn car cruise organized by the Dearborn Chamber of Commerce will begin at the 19th District Court at 7 p.m. on Friday and travel down Michigan Avenue to Outer Drive to Cherry Hill and into Ford Field Park beginning about 7:30 p.m. The classic car show will last until about 10 p.m.
Other favorites
The Turbo Turtle Race returns for its fourth year on Sunday at 4 p.m. to raise money for the Kiwanis Club of Outer Drive’s children’s projects.
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 good 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 Saturday; picnics for Fordson, Lowery and St. Alphonsus high schools are on Sunday.
Also this year, Camp Dearborn Youth Counselors will host a reunion at 4 p.m. Saturday in the picnic area.
Carnival—$13 online specials for all-day wrist bands (advanced sales only)
The carnival is open 11 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. Friday, Saturday and Sunday, Aug. 3-5.
Advanced sales of all-day wrist bands are $12, plus a $1 service fee, from now until 11:59 p.m. on August 2 at www.buymycarnivaltickets.com/event.asp or www.cityofdearborn.org.
The online savings is significant. All-day wrists bands purchased onsite Aug. 3-5 are $18, still a good value. Other ride options are available.
There are no refunds on any carnival tickets.
Plenty of low-cost, free children’s events
Free, “gentle” carnival-style games for children are offered Saturday and Sunday from noon to 5 p.m. Every child receives a small prize at every game.
Free inflatable rides are offered for children noon to 8 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, sponsored by the University of Michigan-Dearborn.
And “wacky games” for all ages, like hula hoop on Saturday at 4 p.m., bubble gum blowing at 4 p.m. Sunday, and spaghetti slurp at 3 p.m. Sunday. Other games take place from 11 a.m. – 7 p.m. both Saturday and Sunday.
The Dearborn Rotary Club, along with Eppinger Manufacturing, will again sponsor the Free Fishing Derby at the Ford Field Pond on Saturday beginning at 8 a.m.
Free shuttles
There is 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. Friday, and noon to 11:30 p.m. Saturday and Sunday of Homecoming weekend. Parking is free.
Another free shuttle is available on West Village Drive,from Monroe to Military, from 5 to 8:30 p.m. Friday and 1 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.
Parking fees apply in the west Dearborn business district.
Ford Field parking is $10, with $7 re-entry rate
Parking rates on the Homecoming grounds at Ford Field Park during the festival are $10. New this year are coupons that will be given with payment of the $10, good for $7 parking for each return entry during the weekend.
Parking fees apply starting at 11 a.m. each day.
Tell me more
Visit the 2012 Dearborn Homecoming page for the complete schedule.