DEARBORN, Michigan – The 2012 Homecoming festival at Ford Field Park in Dearborn August 3-5 promises a weekend full of fun for the 33rd year.
Homecoming is a project of the City of Dearborn and the nonprofit Dearborn Community Fund, and it is made possible because of generous sponsors that cover a significant amount of the cost of the festival.
A favorite tradition for many Dearborn area residents, Homecoming also is one of the most important fundraisers for numerous non-profit groups that serve the local community.
In 2012, for the third year in a row, Oakwood Healthcare is the presenting sponsor of the Homecoming festival.
Oakwood is also responsible for the on-site First Aid Station and the popular Cooling Tent where festival visitors of all ages can enjoy a gentle spray of refreshing mist.
“Oakwood is a great community partner and we are so pleased that they have returned as the presenting sponsor,” said Mayor John B. O’Reilly, Jr. “Oakwood is a Dearborn institution, often serving multiple generations of families, which matches perfectly with our Homecoming tradition.”
Homecoming is known for its spectacular fireworks on Saturday and Sunday. Kenwal Steel Corp. is the sponsor of the Saturday night show.
The other major sponsor is Labatt Blue, which returns as the beer sponsor.
Gold sponsors are: Ford Motor Co., LaFontaine Automotive Group; Severstal North America; Slurpee only at 7-Eleven; Midwest Health Plan, sponsor of the new Homecoming Art Area; and Henry Ford Health System-Fairlane, which covers the free festival shuttles from Dearborn High School.
Silver sponsors are: ASG Renaissance, which designed the Homecoming brochure; Nickel and Saph, Inc.; and the University of Michigan-Dearborn, sponsor of the free inflatable rides.
Bronze sponsors are: Cheli’s Chili Bar, Comerica Bank; Dearborn Federal Savings Bank; Double Olive; Italian American Fraternal Club; Michigan-Dearborn Alumni Legacy Foundation, Inc., and Miller, Canfield, Paddock and Stone, P.L.C.
Friends of Homecoming are: State Representative George T. Darany; Said Deep/Deepsaidwhat.com; DFCU Financial; DTE Energy; Fairlane Town Center; Fordson Alumni Association; Henry Ford Community College; Jan Overhead Door; Pipefitters, Steamfitters, Refrigeration & Air Conditioning Service Local Union 636; Plante Moran, PLLC; Village Community Credit Union; and Village Ford.
Special sponsors are: Cheli’s Chili Bar and Double Olive.
Headline entertainment is WAR, the feel-good funk band known for their hits “Low Rider,” “Why Can’t We Be Friends” and more, on Saturday and Riot House on Sunday. On Friday evening, Dearborn’s Rythym & Blues Bash! features Thornetta Davis and Laith Al-Saadi.
The festival boasts a carnival, free or low-cost family activities, classic car cruise and show, entertainment on three stages, Art Area with the Detroit Institute of Arts, Polish and Italian tents, reunion picnics, and food and beverages sold by more than 20 nonprofit groups raising money for community causes.
Ford Field Park is at 22051 Cherry Hill, at Brady, north of Michigan Avenue.
More information, including a link to purchase discounted carnival ride passes before 11:59 p.m. on August 2, is available at www.cityofdearborn.org. Or call with questions: 313-943-2285.