Family fun and free kids’ activities a tradition at Dearborn Homecoming

If you’re looking to spend some quality time with your family, visit the 2008 Homecoming celebration in Dearborn for a weekend packed with spirited games, off the wall contests and superb live entertainment.

A Dearborn tradition for 29 years, the Homecoming celebration offers live music, tasty foods, a classic car show, two spectacular fireworks displays, class reunions, historical re-enactments and an arts and craft fair.

And parents will find that Homecoming is very affordable, with many free events for kids, including entry into the festival, children’s games, live entertainment and giant inflatable rides for bouncing.

The 29th annual Homecoming will take place at Ford Field Park in Dearborn on August 1-3. A majority of the activities take place from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. daily.

Here is a rundown of the great Homecoming events for young guests:

• Carnival, open from Friday to Sunday with 26 spectacular rides! Half-day (11 a.m.-5 p.m.) wristbands are $12, and full-day (11 a.m.-10:30 p.m.) wristbands are $15. New this year are $8 companion wristbands for parents/guardians who are riding with small children requiring an adult companion. Also, check out pre-Homecoming sales of $10 full-day wristbands at the Wade Shows Inc. website at www.wadeshowsinc.com.

• New to Homecoming 2008 is the AM 910 Radio Disney’s Rockin’ D-Tour! These kid-friendly performances will include high energy interactive games and music from Radio Disney on the Main Stage on Sunday from 1-1:45 p.m. and 3-3:45 p.m. Radio Disney is sponsored by SeverStal Steel.

• This year, both kids and grown-ups will have a blast at our Wacky Contests, beginning at 11 a.m. both Saturday and Sunday and running throughout the day! Free events include marshmallow throwing, applesauce slurping, donut eating, balloon blowing, hula-hoop, sack racing, and much more! The last contest begins at 5:30 p.m. Saturday and 5 p.m. Sunday.

• Enjoy a traditional ice cream social, free to the public, from 6-8 p.m. on Friday at the Dining Tent. Sponsored by Schwan’s home Delivery of Fine Foods.

• Also available both Saturday and Sunday are free inflatable rides from noon – 8 p.m., and free children’s carnival-style games from noon-5 p.m. at the Children’s Activity Field. Every child under 12 wins a prize playing these “gentle” games.

• Veteran clown Jannie Annie will be wandering the grounds on Saturday from 1-6 p.m., bringing her bag of antics that have been delighting Dearborn’s children for more than a decade! Willie T. Clown and The Amazing Clark will also be strolling the fairgrounds during the weekend.

• Kids will love the new Turbo Turtle Race, zooming down the Rouge River from 2-3 p.m. Sunday, whether they enter a turtle or just cheer them on! Sponsor a rubber turtle and enter it in the race for a chance to win incredible prizes, including $1,000 cash and a hockey stick autographed by Red Wing Chris Chelios! Prices are $5 for one turtle, $20 for five turtles, and $50 for 12 turtles. All proceeds go to the Kiwanis Club of Outer Drive’s programs for the betterment of Dearborn’s children.

• Grab your poles and try your luck at the Rotary Club’s Children’s Fishing Derby from 8-11 a.m. on Saturday at the Ford Field Pond.

• Does your child love sports? Then be sure to head to the Tennis Courts for the Hype Athletics All-Sports Skills Course from 3-8 p.m. on Friday. Small fees may apply. Also visit the Hype Athletics All-Star Games from noon-8 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.

• And the entire family is welcome to watch the live entertainment that takes place on several different stages over the weekend.

Get ready to rock Saturday night when Eddie Money lights up our Main Stage from 8:30-10 p.m.! This legendary rocker is sure to bring a good time to Homecoming with his famous hits like “Shakin’,” “Think I’m In Love,” “I Wanna Go Back,” and “Take Me Home Tonight.” Money’s personality and catchy lyrics make his live performances unforgettable!

Other Main Stage performances include Steve King & The Dittilies on Friday at 8 p.m., sponsored by Comerica; and the popular cover band Fifty Amp Fuse, performing Sunday at 8 p.m. and sponsored by Ford Motor Co.

• Both Saturday and Sunday’s performances will be followed up by a fantastic fireworks show that has gained a reputation as being one of the best in Metro Detroit. Saturday’s fireworks are sponsored by Armada Oil and Gas, and Sunday’s fireworks are sponsored by B & K Collision.

• Children will also enjoy the free camp exhibits, frontier kitchens, blacksmiths, military re-enactors, artisans and craftspeople at the Living History Hill near Cherry Hill, open from 11 a.m.-8 p.m. Saturday and 11 a.m.-7 p.m. Sunday.

• And, cheer for your favorite local entertainer at the Dearborn Stars Talent Competition from noon-1 p.m. Saturday on Stage B.

For a complete list of entertainment and activities, visit the City of Dearborn’s website at www.cityofdearborn.org and click on the Homecoming logo.

Or call 943-2285 for more information.