Dearborn Homecoming 2016: Complete Guide Answers All Your Questions

DEARBORN, MI – Dearborn will celebrate its 37th annual Homecoming festival August 5-7 with two dozen carnival rides; delicious festival food; world-class entertainment, including headliner Laith Al-Saadi; as well as scores of healthy, family-fun activities against the backdrop of spectacular fireworks.

More than 20 non-profit organizations fundraise and add to the activities as well.

Homecoming is hosted by the City of Dearborn in conjunction with the nonprofit Dearborn Community Fund and sponsor Beaumont. The festival attracts 150,000 people and is made possible largely because of generous businesses, organizations and individuals who fund a significant amount of the cost.

Festival activities are at Ford Field Park, 22051 Cherry Hill, generally from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Friday-Sunday Aug. 5-7, although some activities start earlier.

Headliner

“The Voice” star Laith Al-Saadi headlines on Saturday.

The top-four finalist on NBC’s “The Voice” returns to his roots for an 8:30 p.m. headline performance on the Main Stage on Saturday, Aug. 6. Al-Saadi, an eclectic singer and guitar virtuoso, plays a mix of blues, soul and classic rock. The Ann Arbor native will be joined by the world-renowned Motor City Horns.

Highlights

Fireworks begin at 10 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.

Car cruise, rhythm and blues on Friday

At 6 p.m. Friday on the Main Stage, Sunglasses After Dark will delight the Homecoming audience with its alternative, Brit-pop, garage style of rock.

It’s followed by The Phoenix Theory, a classic rock and dance cover band, at 8:30 p.m., providing just the right vibes for the Cruisin’ Dearborn Car Cruise.

Classic cars will be hitting the road beginning 7 p.m. Friday outside 19th District Court on Michigan Avenue. Organized by the Dearborn Area Chamber of Commerce, the cruise draws more than 100 vintage vehicles to Ford Field Park, where they will be on display until 10 p.m..

Stage Acts Saturday and Sunday

Before al-Saadi plays on Saturday, the Main Stage entertainment kicks off with Kaleido at 6 p.m. The band's signature sound – a blend of Guns N' Roses meets No Doubt – earned them seven Detroit Music Award nominations in 2014 and Best Band in Detroit by Real Detroit magazine in both 2013 and 2014.

Sunday's main stage entertainment begins at 6 p.m. with cover band Ask Mary, playing a blend of old-time bluegrass classics, alt-country and smokin’ instrumentals.

At 8 p.m. Sunday, Mega 80s will bring your favorite 80s songs to life by rocking great tunes along with a video spectacle. The band repeatedly has been named a “Best Of” Best Live Production/Cover Band by Real Detroit Weekly, and was Hour Detroit's best local band in 2009.

Food Court Stage entertainment includes Armed-N-Dangerous, Musically Yours, the Joel Tracy Show, Howlin’ Mercy, Bombsquad, Pete “Big Dog” Fetters Band, and Manny 500.

Italian and Polish music also will be offered at the festival, including the Kielbasa Kings.

Of course, there are more than enough opportunities to take a break from the action and get some delicious food and cold beverages at the Food Court, staffed by nonprofit groups, and from Food Trucks all three days.

Discounted carnival wristbands available through Aug. 4

The carnival, open all three days from 11 a.m. to 10:30 p.m., boasts two dozen rides. A full-day wristband is $22. However, they can be purchased for $15 at cityofdearborn.org/homecoming through 11:55 p.m. Aug. 4.

Free Shuttles and Parking

The excitement of Homecoming can be intense, so it helps to be prepared when it comes to parking and transportation. A free shuttle service will be provided from Dearborn High School, 19501 W. Outer Dr., in addition to free parking. Handicap accessible shuttles will be making continuous trips from the school to the festival 6-11 p.m. Friday and noon to 11:30 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.

Ford Field parking costs $10 beginning 11 a.m. all three days. The initial fee comes with a $7 parking coupon for a second entry over the weekend.

Free parking is available throughout the nearby west Dearborn downtown business district.

Healthy Dearborn Initiative

A wide range of healthy activities, many of them new, offer the chance to work off that festival food and even engage in some friendly competition. Here’s a shortlist:

Family Bike Ride - Nothing combines fitness and fun like the first Family Bike Ride. The free, police-supported ride will span seven miles, wending through northwest Dearborn neighborhoods. It starts 10 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 6, at Ford Field Park, 500 Monroe St., near the south side of the Homecoming festival grounds. Registration begins 9:30 a.m. on the day of the ride. Helmets are required. Children must be accompanied by an adult.

5K Run or One Mile Fun Run - The new one-mile Family Fun Run and 5K is set for Sunday, Aug. 7. Registration for the one-mile run $20 through race day, while the 5K is $35 through race day. All registered runners receive a t-shirt. The 5k runners get a commemorative glass and recognition for top finishers in various categories. The Fun Run starts at 7:45 a.m. and the 5K starts at 8 a.m. Find registration information at www.cityofdearborn.org/homecoming.

Cornhole Tournament - Also for the first time, Homecoming will feature a Midwest tailgate favorite: cornhole. The competition consists of players taking turns throwing bags of corn (or beans) at a raised platform with a hole. It begins at noon on Saturday, Aug. 6, at Ford Field Park. Cost is $25 a person. You must register by Aug. 4. Cash prizes will be awarded for first, second and third place. Visit www.cityofdearborn.org/homecoming for details.

Paddling the Pond: this returning activity allows festival-goers to paddle on the Rouge River pond for free, in a kayak or a canoe. It is set for Saturday from noon to 8 p.m.

Activities taking place in the Beaumont/Healthy Dearborn Tent on the festival grounds are:

Learn Tai Chi with Erin Reas, certified Tai Chi teacher, on Friday from 2 - 2:30 p.m.

Scavenger Hunt with free drawing for prizes on Friday, Saturday and Sunday from noon to 4 p.m.

Yoga for Kids with Jamie Garrison, founder of Yoga Shala and Wellness, on Saturday from 2 - 2:30 p.m. And, Yoga for all ages on Saturday from 10 – 11 a.m. Those participating should bring a mat or towel.

Healthy Eating with registered dietitians Lois and Cheryl on Saturday and Sunday, from noon to 4 p.m.

Storytelling with Dearborn Public Library Friday 1-1:30 p.m., and Saturday and Sunday from 11:30 a.m. to noon.

Rest assured, returning are crowd favorites, like free children’s games, crafts and inflatable rides; and free wacky games for all ages.

Farmers and Artisan Market on Friday

From 9 a.m to 2 p.m. Friday, the Dearborn’s Farmers and Artisan Market moves temporarily to the festival grounds, near Cherry Hill.