New Attractions Part of 2013 Dearborn Homecoming Festival

Though it may be celebrating its 34th birthday this year, there is always something new at Dearborn’s Homecoming festival, which takes place Aug. 2-4 at Ford Field Park.

This year, the festival will host the family-friendly “Art in Action” at the top of the park's hill from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.

This shady area will feature demonstrating artists, a mobile glass blowing road show from Furnace Design Studios, sculptor Keith Coleman from Weldarts, a children’s activity tent presented by the Detroit Institute of Arts, a ceramics area operated by Henry Ford Community College, and an interactive exhibit with artist Dan Cascardo.

It will complement the return of the Living History Hill, which was on hiatus in 2012. The popular feature returns Friday from 4-7 p.m., Saturday from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m., and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.

The Living History Hill will offer festival visitors a peek into a frontier kitchen, period campsites with re-enactors, antique firearms demonstrations, craftspeople, and more.

New this year is an expanded Green Alternatives Expo area, which will be south of the main bridge.  

From 3 to 8 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday, environmentally-friendly businesses and organizations active in the Dearborn area will exhibit their products, offer information and conduct demonstrations.

Also new to Homecoming will be Mobile Food Kitchens, also known as food trucks. Chefs will be donating a portion of their proceeds to nonprofit organizations in Dearborn, while offering customers new menu options, including gourmet selections.

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

The Polish tent and Italian shelter are also returning with their offerings of ethnic food.

Homecoming this year will feature 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.

Homecoming is known for its outstanding entertainment. This year doesn’t disappoint. The headline act is Blues Traveler on Saturday at 8:30 p.m. on the main stage.

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.”  

Main stage entertainment on Friday night is Detroit country band Annabelle Road, and wrapping up Homecoming on Sunday night is the legendary California band Papa Doo Run Run.  

The festival once again boasts a carnival, free family activities, classic car cruise and show on Friday, wacky contests, entertainment on three stages, strolling performers and high school reunion picnics.

Spectacular fireworks will light the night sky on Saturday and Sunday.

Homecoming is organized by the city of Dearborn and the nonprofit Dearborn Community Fund. Oakwood Healthcare is the presenting sponsor for the fourth year in a row.

For more information, visit http://www.cityofdearborn.org/.