DEARBORN Homecoming is near, time for Dearborn families, relatives and neighbors to come together and enjoy an annual hometown tradition.

The 29th annual Homecoming will take place at the Ford Field Park in Dearborn on the weekend of August 1-3. A majority of the activities take place from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. daily.

Headlining this year’s entertainment will be legendary rocker Eddie Money, who will take the Main Stage at 8:30 p.m. on Saturday, August 2.

Money, an MTV favorite in the 80s with eleven Top 40 hits, is sure to leave the crowd “Shakin'” with hits like “Think I’m In Love,” “I Wanna Go Back,” and “Take Me Home Tonight.”

Money’s show on Saturday night will be followed by the Armada Oil and Gas-sponsored fireworks, always a spectacular display.

Sunday night’s live performance by Fifty Amp Fuse at 8:30 p.m., sponsored by Ford Motor Co., will be followed by another outstanding fireworks show, sponsored by B&K Collision, to continue two nights of Homecoming’s best tradition.

New to the Homecoming lineup this year will be two live performances sponsored by Severstal Steelthe family-friendly and kid- popular Radio Disney stage show.

The AM 910 Radio Disney’s Rockin’ D-Tour will be at 1 and 3 p.m. on Sunday of Homecoming, bringing high energy interactive games and great music.

There is no admission into the Homecoming festival, which features a weekend packed with live entertainment, a carnival, a classic car show, class reunions, historical re-enactments, food stations, sports contests, children’s activities, an arts and crafts show and fundraisers from 20 Dearborn service clubs and charities.

This year’s carnival promises to be a great attraction, with full day (11a .m. to 10 p.m.) wristbands for just $15, allowing guests to enjoy all the rides for one day. Also this year, half-day (11 a.m. to 5 p.m.) wrist bands are $12.

Excellent ride values will be available at www.wadeshowsinc.com.  All day wrist bands can be purchased online for $10, before the festival begins.

Make your visit to Dearborn’s Homecoming festival as easy as possible by using the free parking and free shuttle service offered by the City.

Two options exist: free parking and free shuttle service from Dearborn High School, sponsored by Henry Ford Health System, and free shuttle service from the west Dearborn business district along West Village Drive, from Military to Monroe.

The Dearborn High shuttle, sponsored by Henry Ford Health System, will pick visitors up at the school parking lot, on the west side of Outer Drive, north of Michigan Avenue. The shuttles are Dearborn Public School buses and run from 6 to 11 p.m. Friday, and noon to 11:30 p.m. Saturday and Sunday of Homecoming weekend. Parking is free.

Another free shuttle is available on West Village Drive, from 5 to 8:30 p.m. Friday and noon to 8 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. The City of Dearborn shuttle vans will stop along West Village Drive from Monroe to Military. Parking fees may apply.  Parking is at a special festival rate of $1 in the West Parking Deck only. 

The Ford Field parking lot is $5 per car.

A complete schedule of entertainment is available on-line at www.cityofdearborn.org. Or, call 313.943.2285 for information.

Highlights of this year’s Homecoming celebration include:

A new Turbo Turtle Derby, where contestants are invited to sponsor rubber turtles to race in the Rouge River for charity, organized by the Dearborn Outer Drive Kiwanis.

A Food Court, Polish and Italian tents serving up plenty of tasty festival favorites and ethnic treats.

Cruise to the classic sound of Steve King & The Dittilies, performing at 8 p.m. on Friday night, sponsored by Comerica.

Take a walk through history and travel back as far as the Colonial Period at the Living History Hill operating 11 a.m.-8 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday.

The 2009 Elderfest, starting with a fun walk with Mayor John B. O’Reilly at 8:30 a.m. on Friday!

Plenty of live entertainment, including the Dearborn Stars talent competition, on several stages throughout Homecoming.

The Cruisin’ Dearborn classic car parade and car show starting at 7 p.m. on Friday. Cars will be on display in the Children’s Activity Field until 10 p.m.

Plenty of free activities for kids, including children’s games, live entertainment and giant inflatables for bouncing.

Kids and adults will have a ball at the Wacky Contests beginning at 11 a.m. both Saturday and Sunday of Homecoming.

Sports contests, such as the Rotary Fishing Derby on Saturday from 8-11 a.m., and a basketball skills course.

A new Texas Hold ‘Em Tournament on Friday night, sponsored by the Dearborn Rotary.

Of course, the weekend would not be complete without the much-anticipated class reunions for Dearborn graduates.

Remember, according to state laws, all alcohol at the Dearborn Homecoming must be purchased and consumed at the festival. No alcohol can be brought onto the grounds.

Ford Field Park is located north of Michigan Avenue and west of Brady. It borders Cherry Hill.