Dearborn Homecoming 2013 Festival Schedule

Dearborn will celebrate the 34th annual Homecoming festival August 2-4 with entertainment led by Blues Traveler, a fireworks show, 27 carnival rides, family activities, art demonstrations, a green living expo and plenty of festival food.

It will also help more than 20 nonprofit groups fundraise for, and increase awareness of, their good works in Dearborn.

Homecoming is a project of the city of Dearborn and the nonprofit Dearborn Community Fund. It will take place at Ford Field Park, 22051 Cherry Hill Road.

Blues Traveler Plays Main Stage on Saturday

The headline entertainment is Blues Traveler on Saturday at 8:30 p.m. The five-man jam band played at Woodstock, opened for the Rolling Stones and is best known for its Top 40 hits “Run Around” and “Hook.”  

In 2012, Blues Traveler, fronted by original singer/harmonica player John Popper, released its 11th studio album, Suzie Cracks the Whip.

The band gained mainstream exposure after an early 1990s appearance on David Letterman's late-night talk show and has since made more appearances there than any musical artist.

The group founded the H.O.R.D.E. (Horizons of Rock Developing Everywhere) Festival in 1992 with other jam bands, appeared at Woodstock '94 and later became an opening act for the Rolling Stones.

Other entertainment

Main stage entertainment at 8 p.m. Friday is acclaimed Detroit country band Annabelle Road. Led by singer Amanda Bailey, the quartet has toured with Clint Black, and played Detroit 's Downtown Hoedown with Zac Brown and Willie Nelson.

Performing Sunday at 8:30 p.m. on the Main Stage is Papa Doo Run Run. The group focuses on Beach Boys songs and recently played at Dearborn's Ford Community & Performing Arts Center. Formed in 1965, the band has toured with surf music icons Jan and Dean and performed for 15 years as the celebrity house band at Disneyland.

Music will also be on Stage B and the Food Court Stage throughout the weekend. Performers are Whiskey Rebellion, Pete “Big Dog” Fetters Band, Bomb Squad, Armed and Dangerous, Kaleido, Dearborn Big Band and Junction Groove.

Carnival

There is a $14 online special for carnival wristbands (advanced sales only). The carnival is open 11 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. Friday through Sunday.

Advanced sales of all-day wristbands are $13, plus a $1 service fee, from now until 11:59 p.m. on Aug. 1 at www.cityofdearborn.org.  

The online savings is significant. All-day wristbands purchased at the festival Aug. 2-4 are $20. Other ride options are available.

There are no refunds on any carnival tickets.

Free shuttles

There is free parking and free shuttle service from Dearborn High School, sponsored by Henry Ford Health System and SMART, and free shuttle service from the west Dearborn business district along West Village Drive, from Military to Monroe streets.

The DHS shuttle runs from 6 to 11 p.m. Friday, and noon to 11:30 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. Parking is free.

Another free shuttle is available on West Village Drive, from Monroe to Military streets, from 5 to 8:30 p.m. Friday and 1 to 8:30 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.

Parking fees apply in the west Dearborn business district.

Ford Field parking is $10, with a $7 re-entry fee.

Festival parking rate in west Dearborn business district

All-day festival rate parking of $5 Saturday and Sunday applies in most lots in west downtown Dearborn. The festival rate is $3 in the parking decks on West Village Drive after 5 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday.

New for 2013

The festival will host the family-friendly “Art in Action” at the top of the hill from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday and Sunday featuring demonstrating artists and a children’s activity tent presented by the Detroit Institute of Arts.

It will complement the return of the Living History Hill on Friday from 4 to 7 p.m., Saturday from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m., and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.

The Green Alternatives Expo will expand its reach this year, in an area south of the main bridge from 3 to 8 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday.

Also new to Homecoming will be food trucks. The trucks will be donating a portion of their proceeds to nonprofit organizations in Dearborn, while offering festival-goers new menu options, including gourmet selections.

The food trucks will operate from 2 to 11 p.m. all weekend, enhancing the traditional food booths run by nonprofit organizations, which are open 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. each day.

There are two new free fitness opportunities—Adult Cardio Tennis from 11 a.m. to noon Saturday and Sunday on the tennis courts, and Zumba Fitness at 11 a.m. to noon on Saturday on Stage B.

Blankets on the hill

Blankets can be put 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 feet.

Car Show

The Cruisin’ Dearborn car cruise organized by the Dearborn Area Chamber of Commerce will begin at the 19th District Court at 7 p.m. on Friday and travel into Ford Field Park at about 7:30 p.m. The classic car show will last until about 10 p.m.

Nonprofit groups raise money

Dearborn service clubs and charitable organizations will be selling food, beverages and other items in the food court and other areas to raise money for their good causes that support Dearborn residents.

Plenty of low-cost, free children’s events

Free, “gentle” carnival-style games for children are offered noon to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. This is sponsored by Village Community Credit Union.

Free inflatable rides are offered for children noon to 8 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, sponsored by Hansons

And “wacky games” for all ages take place from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.

The Dearborn Rotary Club will again sponsor the Free Fishing Derby at the Ford Field Pond at 8 a.m. Saturday.

The Turbo Turtle Race returns for its fifth year on Sunday at 4 p.m. to raise money for the Kiwanis Club of Outer Drive’s children’s projects.

Activities for people with special needs Friday

Returning this year from 9 a.m. to noon on Friday is an event for people with special needs, presented by the Dearborn Area Chamber of Commerce. Pre-registration is required by July 31 at www.dearbornareachamber.org.

For more information

Visit www.cityofdearborn.org for the complete Homecoming festival schedule.