Dearborn Homecoming 2019: Your Guide To Kids Activities

DEARBORN, MI — Kids will have a blast at Dearborn's annual signature summer event this year.

The 40th annual Dearborn Homecoming festival Aug. 2-4 will provide a number of free and affordable activities for families looking to have a fun weekend without breaking the bank.

Families 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, 500 Monroe.

Most of the children’s activities will be in the Hilltop Area Kids’ Zone including the following activities:

• Free giant inflatables from noon-5 p.m. on Friday and noon-8 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday.
• Free children’s games with a carnival feel, but gentle style, will take place from 1-5 p.m. on Friday and noon-5 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday.
• 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 Saturday and Sunday.
• Children’s crafts at the ACCESS / Arab American National Museum tent from noon-5 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 2, and 11 a.m.-7 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday, Aug. 3 and 4.
• The Kids’ Art Making Tent, presented by the Dearborn Community Arts Council, is open from noon-5 p.m. on Friday and noon-7 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday.
• Free children’s crafts at the Detroit Institute of Arts tent on Saturday and Sunday from 11 a.m.-7 p.m.
• Free Home Depot Children’s Crafts from noon-2 p.m. on Saturday.
• The Ford Amateur Astronomy Club will have telescopes pointed at Jupiter, Saturn, and the Moon for public viewing from 9-11 p.m. on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday.

In addition to the Hilltop Area children’s activities, events for kids 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 is offering a free Family Bike Ride at 9 a.m. on Saturday, 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.-4 p.m. on all three days of the festival in the Beaumont Wellness Tent.

Other information

Visitors to Homecoming can also enjoy two dozen carnival rides for all three days of the festival from 11 a.m.-10:30 p.m.

There are currently two discount carnival pass options offered by Wade Shows, Inc., the carnival operator. To take advantage of the discounted options, the passes must be purchased by 11:55 p.m. on Thursday, 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 can also be purchased on site during the carnival and cost $15 for a half-day band (11 a.m.-5 p.m.) and $22 for a full-day wristband (11 a.m.-10:30 p.m.). A $10 companion wristband is available for parents to ride with their young children, with some restrictions. Individual ride tickets can also be purchased at Homecoming. There are no refunds for any carnival ride tickets, wristbands, or the Mega Pass.

The festival will conclude on Saturday and Sunday each night 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 festival will take place at Ford Field Park, 500 Monroe St. Admission to Dearborn Homecoming is free.

For more information about Homecoming, visit www.cityofdearborn.org/homecoming.