Dearborn Homecoming Kicks off Today
Dearborn Homecoming kicks off today and we thought it would be worth running a quick list of “to dos” if you are making plans to attend.
One big change will be the new “blankets on the hill” rule”, which will generate a bit of controversy, for sure.
People cannot put their blankets on the hill until after 8 a.m. on Saturday and after 8 a.m. on Sunday. All blankets must be removed by midnight both nights. The size of the of a blanket is limited to no more than 8 feet by 8 feet to accommodate as many families as possible.
This is a good rule change but I do feel sorry for the Homecoming staff working on blanket patrol over the weekend. Some long-time Homecoming hill campers will be upset, for sure.
Other things to do at the 30th annual Homecoming include:
Rick Springfield-8:30 p.m. Saturday, Main Stage
Pop singer Rick Springfield, best known for the song “Jessie’s Girl” from his early career and as a star on the daytime drama “General Hospital,” is the headline act on Saturday night.
He brings high-energy and enthusiastic audience contact to every show, and Homecoming will be a rare chance for his devoted fans to see him for free.
Fireworks, Saturday and Sunday
Homecoming wouldn’t be Homecoming without spectacular fireworks on Saturday and Sunday nights. They are sponsored by BP/Armada Oil and Gas on Saturday and by B&K Collision on Sunday.
Car Show and Drive-In Movie
The Cruisin’ Dearborn car cruise organized by the Dearborn Chamber of Commerce will begin at the 19th District Court at 7 p.m. on Friday and travel down Michigan Avenue to Outer Drive to Cherry Hill and into Ford Field Park. The classic car show will last until about 10 p.m.
Accompanying the car show this year is a drive-in movie, with the screen set up near the cars at the bottom of the hill. Showing will be Three Stooges shorts and the movie American Graffiti. The fun begins at 9:15 p.m. and is sponsored by Mayor John B. O’Reilly.
Other stage entertainment
Local favorite Fifty Amp Fuse will be the final act on Sunday night, playing at 8:30 p.m.
On Friday, Larry Lee and the Back in the Day will be on the Main Stage 7-9 p.m. The popular Detroit band, led by former NFL player and executive Larry Lee, can play funk, blues, jazz, classic rock, gospel, and even some contemporary tunes.
Other favorites
The Dearborn Community Arts Council’s Craft Show will take place on Friday from 5-8 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.
And back again is the Living History Hill with historical re-enactors, musical entertainment, crafts, antique firearms, a high tea and more.
The Turbo Turtle Race returns for its second year on Sunday at 4 p.m. to raise money for the Kiwanis Club of Outer Drive’s children’s projects.
Back in 2009 is the Nickelodeon channel’s live stage show on Sunday afternoon.
And service clubs and charitable organizations will be serving food, beverages and beer from Labatt Blue once again.
New to 2009-Guitar Hero
It is the sensation that can’t be stopped. New to Homecoming in 2009 is a “Guitar Hero” tournament on Saturday and Sunday. $5 fee applies. Registration is at noon both days, and the tournament begins at 1 p.m.
Welcome back-pancake breakfast
A pancake breakfast by the First Presbyterian Church of Dearborn from 9-noon on Sunday, inside the Polish Tent, on the east side of the carnival.
For more info:
Visit www.cityofdearborn.org for the complete schedule.
August 8th, 2009 at 8:08 am
Okay, Just got back from putting my blanket on the hill. What a mess. The city workers were actually upset that we were there so early. They made us stand in line in the rain and then refused to allow anyone to put their blanket on the hill. Okay, great except there was one gentleman who was standing in the horseshoe and an official from the city told him to get in line. Well, the man didn’t and so we all got to watch the poor man have the official get in his face and then have two others along with the official escort him down to the end of the line……that was fun. How about just having yet another rule like…not in line you cant take your blanket on the hill till the line is gone……would not have been that big of a deal considering the line was only about 50 people long at the longest time and never even went to the tot- lot play ground. The official kept saying it will back up to chery hill….never did. Then, after waiting in the pooring rain for 2 hours they decided to let us put our blankets out at 7:30..what happened to 8? If they were going to change the time…would it have been such a big deal to allow orderly blanket line to start at 6?…..Just more of JACK”S STUPID RULES ……….. We must do what we are told or we will be punished…..and JACK DOES TELL US WHAT TO DO. HE NEVER SHUTS UP!
August 8th, 2009 at 11:19 am
Sorry Dearborngal but they did say 8 so, when you saw it was raining, why didn’t you just wait until 8 to show up and place your blanket without having to wait. It’s a big hill and it can fit a lot of blankets. However, I will agree that it seems ridiculous that they made people form a line. Why couldn’t they just let people freely place their blankets, especially since it was raining. And if any were placed too early just have them disappear.
Honestly, I couldn’t believe it when I read that this rule was put in place mainly because I could not believe people would be there at 6 or 7 in the morning to get a spot. I especially thought this could not be since I’ve gotten spots on the hill right up almost to fireworks time. Apparently I was wrong.
This whole thing seems like much ado about nothing to me.
August 8th, 2009 at 12:29 pm
Ah, Homecoming…..The rides, the reunions, the revelry. And an army of Linuses all lined up near The Hill, like Marines taking Iwo Jima, to reinact the Oklahoma Land Rush before the crap from the night before is even cleaned up. I love living here and wouldn’t have it any other way!
August 8th, 2009 at 12:58 pm
so it will go on rain or shine??
August 8th, 2009 at 3:54 pm
You have to love this City with all their rules and regulations – and they pick a rainy day to enforce this one rule? I do agree with Paul that 8:00 is 8:00 so rain or no rain why did they decide to let people put down blankets at 7:30. Don’t know who is behind all the rules but some of them are just downright stupid!!
August 8th, 2009 at 6:11 pm
Too many rules from Big Bad Jack, he is nothing more than a bully, too bad he didn’t pick up his dad’s good traits, and let everyone enjoy Homecoming, and not wait to crack your knuckles with a ruler (Jack enjoys being in charge). The cops agree but they say its orders from the big man, and he loves to holler, probably because he can’t express himself at home. Too bad fella.
August 8th, 2009 at 7:04 pm
Folks – this whole “middle of the night” thing for blankets was kind of ridiculous anyway. The new rules were well publicized, so it you got there and it was raining…. your choice.. stay and get wet. We showed up at 8:05 and had no trouble finding a great spot. I applaud the organizers for the new rule. If I lived in that neighborhood, I wouldn’t want a bunch of sleep-deprived people getting angry outside my house at 6 am, just to get a spot for the fireworks.
August 8th, 2009 at 10:28 pm
Well, the rules are interesting to say the least, what I would like is that the “health care” tent to be open for the entire event. Would have been nice to have been seen quickly when some hot ash went into my eye from the fireworks. Seriously it was falling all over the place. I had to walk all over looking for someone to help me. There was no one standing by the health tent, no one by the fire truck or emergency rig… I ended up going to the police trailer and then that guy didn’t understand why there wasn’t anyone to help where there was supposed to be…. There was another girl there looking for the same help as me and some kid who cut his leg tripping over one of the tent poles…. So, next time Dearborn… get some first aid help!!!
August 9th, 2009 at 5:15 pm
Keekap you must be a relative of someone in the administration, because its ridiculous that someone has as arrogant an attitude as you. We had to wait until 8 P>M., and got a junky area to put our blanket down to watch the fireworks. Too bad O’Reilley Sr. couldn’t see how his son screws things up for Homecoming, on second thought its probably best he doesn’t see it, because he would have to cuff the idiot (too many foolish rules). Get with it Big Jack enough is enough.
August 10th, 2009 at 9:35 pm
Someone stole my two blankets from the hill. We were not permitted to go to the hill to get the blankets when the storm warning started. When we went back my two blankets were gone. Very sad that you can’t even count on your blanket to be left there.
August 12th, 2009 at 9:12 pm
Hey Debbie,
How do you know that they weren’t blown away??