There were plenty of activities for people of all ages Sunday at the Dearborn Homecoming.

There were plenty of activities for people of all ages Saturday at the Dearborn Homecoming.

Kids competed in a range of crazy contests at this year's Dearborn Homecoming, facing off in everything from bubble gum blowing to apple sauce slurping to marshmallow throwing.

For most of us, preparing for our high school reunion means deciding what to wear. Not so for those who plan the event.  On their to-do lists: Picking the date, finding the right venue, deciding on a menu, coordinating the entertainment, tracking the R.S.V.P.s, handling the money and more.  But one of the most daunting tasks is finding all those former classmates. This was especially true for the planning committee of Dearborn High School’s Class of 1971, which this year is celebrating its 40th reunion.  The Class of ’71 still holds the record for the largest graduating class in DHS history, …

It's a hard assignment, but our contributors were able to be talked into it. They will be taste testing the many food options at Dearborn Homecoming and reporting back to give you a heads-up on the best eats. (For a full list of food and drink options, go to the City of Dearborn's Homecoming page.) Advertising Manager Nicki Sharer tells us why she beelines for the Italian American tent every Homecoming: I look forward to Homecoming every year for many reasons, not the least of which is enjoying a gigantic serving of homemade gnocchi at the Italian-American tent. Homemade meatballs, married …

The 32nd annual Dearborn Homecoming festival kicked off Friday with fabulous weather, growing crowds and plenty of fun things to do. Elderfest brought out the city's seniors Friday morning for a free breakfast, meetings with state and local officials, as well as activities like bingo, swing dancing and more. The day continued with the start of the festival's rides, nonprofit groups selling all sorts of foods and the first live performances of the weekend. Willie T. Clown entertained local kids, and the Cruisin' Dearborn Car Show–presented by the Chamber of Commerce–brought out classic cars of…

Ford Field played host to hundreds of local senior citizens Friday morning, as Elderfest opened the 32nd annual Dearborn Homecoming. Residents took a fun walk led by Dearborn Mayor Jack O'Reilly, ate a free breakfast, listened to live music and played bingo starting at 8 a.m. Oakwood Healthcare System also had representatives there to give blood pressure screenings and help seniors stretch before the walk. A number of local politicians made appearances at Elderfest this year, most notably United States Rep. John Dingell (D-Mich.), Wayne County Executive Robert Ficano, State Rep. George Darany…

Dearborn Homecoming fun doesn't stop when the fireworks end. But where does the party continue? Here's a look at the bands, bars and specials you won't want to miss. The Post: Post up here for a Homecoming afterparty Friday, Saturday or Sunday, with a patio tent and live music starting at 8 p.m. every night. On Friday, Junction Groove gets things started in the patio tent. Saturday will be Tiny Lightening outdoors, and on Sunday, Junction Groove will return. DJ Freddie Freeze heats up the indoor dance floor all weekend. Bailey's Pub and Grille: Look for awesome drink specials all weekend long…

Dearborn’s annual Homecoming Festival means reunions, especially high school reunions, and this year marks the 40th for my class, Dearborn High School Class of ’71.   Clearly, reunions mean different things to different people, and depending on their high school memories and which reunion it is, people have different reasons for going or not going.  Some go to reminisce about the “good old days.” But not all of us remember them that way.  My high school years were, to be blunt, awful. I was a shy underachiever lacking in self-confidence and generally miserable. My goal after high school …

Here's your Saturday, Aug. 6 lineup: 11 a.m.-10:30 p.m. - Carnival open11 a.m.-11 p.m. - Food Court and Civic Tent Open8-11 a.m. - Children’s Fishing Derby 9 a.m.-9 p.m. - Hype Athletics Youth All-Star Games11 a.m.- Noon - Marshmallow Throwing Contest 11 a.m.-8 p.m. - Living History Hill Open. Raising/retiring of the camp flag and gun volley11 a.m.-8 p.m. - Dearborn Community Arts Council Craft Show11 a.m.-7 p.m. - University of Michigan-Dearborn Activity TentNoon - Balloon Blowing Contest Noon-5 p.m. - Free Children’s Games Noon-8 p.m. - Free Giant Fun Inflatables 1 p.m. - Ernie May & …

Here's your Sunday, Aug. 7 lineup: 11 a.m.-10:30 p.m. - Carnival open11 a.m.-11 p.m. - Food Court and Civic Tent open10 a.m.-Noon - Dearborn Community Tennis Association Quick Start Tennis Demo11 a.m.-Noon - Baseball Throwing Contest 11 a.m.-5 p.m. - Living History Hill Open11 a.m.-7 p.m. - University of Michigan-Dearborn Activity Tent11 a.m.-8 p.m. - Dearborn Community Arts Council Craft ShowNoon- 1 p.m. - Donut Eating Contest Noon-5 p.m. - Free children's gamesNoon-8 p.m. - Free giant inflatables1 p.m. - Sack Race 1-2 p.m. - The Amazing Clark Comedy Magic Show1-3 p.m. - Hype Athletics …

Here's your Friday, Aug. 5 lineup: Edlerfest 8 a.m. - Walk registration8 a.m.-1 p.m. - Information booth8:15 a.m. - Warm-up exercies with Oakwood Sports Medicine Director Jeffrey Kline ATC, NASM-PES and Health Promotions Coordinator Ryan Sledge8:30 a.m. - Fun Walk with Mayor Jack O’Reilly8:30-10 a.m. - Jazz and swing by Kira Frabotta and Gordon Smith8:30-10 a.m. - Free healthy breakfast with Robert Ficano8:30-10 a.m. - Free coffee for senior citizens9 a.m. - Free bottled water for senior citizens9-11:30 a.m. - Anniversary waltz registration9:30 a.m.-1 p.m. - Blood pressure checks by Oakwood …

Cars Dearbornites won't have to wait till the Woodward Dream Cruise to get their taste of classic cars. Homecoming's Cruisin' Dearborn Car Cruise Friday will showcase rides made between 1933 and 1980, running through the west end and ending at Ford Field. Registration starts at 6 p.m. at the Dearborn Police Department and is $10 per car. The cruise–beginning an hour later–will run from Michigan Avenue to Outer Drive to Cherry Hill and end at Ford Field around 7:30 p.m. Concerts That city boy born and raised in south Detroit might as well be from Dearborn this weekend. Cover group "Frontiers-…

Dearborn Homecoming should be one of the most enjoyable weekends of the year. What's not enjoyable? Figuring out where to park, how to avoid traffic jams, what to bring and where to go. But we're here to help. Here's everything you need to know. How to Get There Dearborn Homecoming is located at Ford Field Park, which is several blocks north of Michigan Avenue and just west of Brady Street. Michigan Avenue is the obvious choice to make your way to Homecoming, but also promises to be the most congested. If you're coming from the west, cutting around the back via Cherry Hill may be helpful. …

For country music fans, Dierks Bentley, Clint Black and Gretchen Wilson may earn a mention if asked to name their favorites. For metro Detroiters in the know, Annabelle Road–performing at the Dearborn Homecoming at 6 p.m. on Sunday–likely springs immediately to mind. "Dearborn Homecoming is one of those big events that we all knew what it was growing up," said Amanda Bailey, the 27-year-old lead singer for the band.  "(It's) one of those stages that we always wanted to play on." Known for their rocking country sensibility, Annabelle Road hit the big time when they were handpicked by Kenny …

You might call Larry Lee a man for all seasons. The 51-year-old played nine years in the NFL-five with the Lions during the 1980s. And from 1993 to 2001, he worked as the Lions' vice president. After the organization hired Matt Millen in 2001, Lee left the team and began the Back In The Day Band, a nine-person set that takes pride in its funk. The group–led by Lee at bass–has since toured the country and been awarded numerous accolades. The Back In The Day band was nominated as the area's most Outstanding R&B Group by the Detroit Music Awards. Lee, meanwhile, was nominated for Outstanding …

Aaron Radatz’s greatest magic trick isn’t appearing invisible, escaping a straitjacket or reading minds. After practicing magic for audiences in 45 states, 37 countries and six continents, the Dearborn Heights native’s magnum opus is of a different variety.  “Homecoming is the perfect word,” Radatz said. The 34-year-old magical entertainer will perform at his third Dearborn Homecoming this year, bringing his One Man Show of Magic back to the area it all began. Radatz’s grandmother gave him a magic set for Christmas when he was six, providing him “a great way to entertain myself as a kid,” …

After a few years away, Howlin Mercy will be returning to the Dearborn Homecoming on Saturday from 5-6 p.m. to perform at the Food Court Stage at Ford Field. They last played the event in 2008, and the blues band is eager to return. “We're excited to come back,” said Andrew Johnson, lead singer and trombonist. “The crowd's always been so appreciative.  “For me, the blues–especially at Homecoming, you can have a crowd out there from 8 years old to 80 years old–and the crowd can really appreciate it from that wide age span. That's the great thing about the blues–it really can cross a lot of …