Dearborn Offers Free Homecoming Shuttles
Dearborn estimates Homecoming weekend will draw about 150,000 people over the weekend, which means driving and trying to find a parking space could be challenging.
The good news is the city is offering free shuttle service and free parking.
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.
All shuttles take visitors to the festival grounds at Ford Field Park in Dearborn.
The Dearborn High shuttle will pick visitors up at the school parking lot, on the west side of Outer Drive, north of Michigan Avenue. It runs from 6 p.m. to 11 p.m. Friday, and noon to 11:30 p.m. Saturday and Sunday of Homecoming weekend. Parking is free.
The shuttles are Dearborn Public Schools buses and include handicapped accessible buses and will make continuous loops between the festival grounds and the school. There is no established time schedule.
Another free shuttle is available on West Village Drive, from 5 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Friday and 1 p.m. to 8:30 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, except on Sunday. On Friday and Saturday, parking is at a special festival rate of $1 in the West Parking Deck only.
The Ford Field parking lot also provides a limited number of spaces, including handicapped parking, for $5 per car.
For complete details about Homecoming, including a schedule of events, visit www.cityofdearborn.org or call 943-2285.
August 7th, 2010 at 8:22 am
FYI
Said Deep sponsers the Hula Hoop contest at Homecoming Saturday 4:00
If you can show up and join in, and meet Said personally.
August 7th, 2010 at 12:33 pm
Homecoming was real weak last night. I think they are starting to lose it,under the O’Reilley watch — some type of pizzaz seems to be missing. Not like it was before. I heard this over and over last night.
August 7th, 2010 at 1:44 pm
I was there this afternoon and they did have a nice size crowd and of course lots of kids on the carnival rides. I was very disappointed in the Arts and Crafts on the hill – not a very good variety of things. I would like to thank all the volunteers that drove us around in the golf carts – big benefit!!!!
August 7th, 2010 at 2:45 pm
Just came back, and I feel its lame this year. A lot of people were jawing back and forth with us, and they said, something is missing, but its not like it was. Darany is still running 4 office, and the wannabe politicians are circulating, and that is a complete bore.
August 8th, 2010 at 12:09 am
I would like to know why the administration allows outside vendors to come in with carts and sell merchandise all over the park, when the charities which have paid booth fees can only sell glow necklaces outside their booths. Way to screw the charities, Dearborn! Why don’t the police officers who are present enforce the law? You folks certainly were very quick to enforce the laws, rules and regulations at the Arab Festival, why are you screwing over the charities who rely on this for their fundraising and not enforcing it at Homecoming?
August 8th, 2010 at 9:57 am
DEARBORNETTE WELCOME TO THE POLITICAL WORLD IN DEARBORN. Watch the administration beg for funds, and then they let the outside organizations do and sell as they wish. Thats what u call being grateful. Screw the administration for letting that happen, just wait til they go begging for funds next-time.
August 8th, 2010 at 10:41 am
I was at the festival Fri and Saturday selling t-shirts for Save Our Pools (SOP) at the top of the hill near the Hype Athletics tennis courts and despite some comments indicating otherwise, I thought Fri and Sat were two of the most crowded days I’ve ever witnessed, especially as late afternoon approached.
No vendors are supposed to sell anything if they are not in a paid for, pre-approved booth, but I did notice this year there are far more of the “trinket” type vendors walking all over the park and it appeared that the PD was not enforcing the rules on this issue.
On another note if you’re attending today, Sunday per Deep:
“Another free shuttle is available on West Village Drive, from 5 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Friday and 1 p.m. to 8:30 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, except on Sunday. On Friday and Saturday, parking is at a special festival rate of $1 in the West Parking Deck only.”
I took this shuttle and it is ONLY in the West Parking Deck area where we were able to ride this shuttle, which might be a very long walk for some people. Per the shuttle driver and the West Deck parking attendant, the shuttle does NOT go all the way down to Monroe. It is ONLY in the West Deck parking area PERIOD. I hope this helps some people.
The other issue I noticed was that the city paid parking lot at Ford Field was full around 1pm and new signs are put up everywhere on the streets south of Ford Field all the way towards Michigan Avenue up to the parking meters. These signs state something to the effect that “These are paid, Authorized parking spots ONLY.
What really amazed me and which I believe may have contributed significantly to a MAJOR lack of parking is that Cherry Hill that was repaved from Military to Brady this year is NOT allowing parking ANYWHERE on Cherry Hill. I don’t know why this is as it is this year, but I hope this helps some others who may be struggling to find a parking space, as I did…
August 8th, 2010 at 10:44 am
Sorry, I failed to mention that the main Ford Field paid parking lot in the baseball field area when full, DOES still have parking spaces saved for anyone with a Handicapped plate or placard. Be sure to wave this at the entry keeper on Brady or else the will wave you off sending you elsewhere and it takes quite some time to make the loop back and then you’re back in a traffic jam again to get in. Hope this helps somewhat…
August 8th, 2010 at 1:57 pm
The only problem I had with last night’s festivities was that it took me MUCH longer to get out of the area. I parked where I always do (my church) and it took at LEAST five cycles of traffic light for me to get across Michigan Ave. (I was on Mason). The entire time I was in that 5 cycles I was no more than the 7th car back from the light. A police officer was there, but rather than directing traffic, he only got out of his car to place some more flares. It has never taken me that long and by my estimation I did everything the same. Same parking lot, same fireworks spot, same quick walk to the car.
But as always, the BEST fireworks are at Dearborn Homecoming! Also, even if they weren’t enforcing the charity/booth/outside sales issue (does the police even know about that rule? I’m guessing they aren’t the ones organizing the booth sales…), the police were EVERYWHERE and much more of a presence than in years past and it was appreciated.
August 9th, 2010 at 12:10 am
Hey does anyone know what is going on with the former gas station property on cheery hill at military? They tore that old gas station down and they were supposed to start building a new medical center there or something, but nothing, the lot is growing weeds and people are parking there, what happened?
August 9th, 2010 at 8:08 am
I totally agree with the folks complaining about the glowy trinket vendors. What was up with that? I however am not talking about the Exchange Club kids working the crowd on the hill. They *are* an approved vendor and were well identified.
The police were very visible and that was a plus. (Although, they did need to show those gatecrashing vendors the boot.)
The crowds had to be down a bit. My family arrived about 7pm on Sunday and had no problem staking out a decent place on the hill. Not that I’m complaining about that, I’m just a little worried about what that means for attendence.
Emerson Drive was awesome. A great show! The fireworks were stupendous. A little bit scary at times. Some still burning debris hit the crowd and a lot of not burning debris hit the crowd. My boys had fun showing their collection of shell casings. One even still had the name of the firework and maker company on it!
Truely, though a great time.
August 9th, 2010 at 1:59 pm
While it was impossible for anyone to do an official count and while I could be wrong, I thought Saturday was the most packed day I had ever seen at Homecoming. Since the humidity wasn’t that high and it got even lower later in the day, many more came out as the day wore on. But it was a great Homecoming nonetheless and other than a few glitches which can happen anywhere at any time, I thought Dearborn’s Finest did an awesome job, as they do every year. There aren’t any events in this metro area with this many attending, except for the Arab-American Festival as far as I know, that could have an event this big and have little to no major trouble.
Speaking personally, since I immensely enjoy the reunions with so many people in the high school reunion areas, as well as across the park, it’s too bad this event isn’t a whole week. It’s pretty much offers something for everyone and in my opinion, it is THE greatest event in Wayne County – bar none…
August 9th, 2010 at 5:17 pm
Get a life Albano — live in the now, not in yesteryear. Grow up will u, a week for homecoming, the weekend is more than enough. Why don’t u wear a lettermans jacket (if u have one), why don’t u.
August 9th, 2010 at 7:33 pm
Does anyone know if Maestro’s next to La Cigar is closed? Looks like it. I know it’s the same owner as La Cigar.
August 9th, 2010 at 10:08 pm
M. D. Albano, I’ve attended all 31 Homecomings. I think they are great but this was not the busiest ever. There was a time when you could not cross the bridge in the middle of the afternoon without taking a good long time of shuffling through the crowd. It is still a very good event and a great time to celebrate Dearborn but the crowds are smaller.
August 10th, 2010 at 9:10 am
I’d be glad to wear a letterman’s jacket and attend a much longer Homecoming Ali. Thanks for the idea. 🙂
You may be correct Marge, but it seemed that the nicer the weather and lower the humidity became Saturday, that many more people flooded the Homecoming. Since I was gone 25 years in Cal and only came home about every 3-4 years, I didn’t attend all those Homecomings, but it was the most crowded one that I personally ever attended. Sorry for not clarifying that Marge…
August 10th, 2010 at 4:31 pm
Come on Mr. Albano, it’s a municipal carnival. A better than average municipal carnival, but puh-lease. The greatest event in Wayne County? Who are you trying to kid? I was at Homecoming on Sunday and yeah, it was OK and the fireworks were a lot better than your average carnival fireworks, but also this weekend I was at Willow Run Airport for the Thunder Over Michigan Air Show and saw 9 B-17’s fly by in formation. And next month I’m going to the Detroit jazz festival. There will be national acts playing there, not other people who “sound just like them”. You would have more credibility in your reviews if you cut out the shameless cheerleading and hyperbole.
August 11th, 2010 at 9:01 am
If one prefers big name acts or special skill events like air shows and such, then this may have not been the best event for them “Come On”, but if one prefers social events, then this is the best social event in the Metro Detroit area for everyone else.
I make no excuses for being a rah-rah Dearborn type of person and am proud of it. I’d much rather look for the good that focus on or look for negatives. End of story…
August 11th, 2010 at 5:07 pm
Way to go Come On because Albano must of had a brain fart –( the crowds weren’t anything like they were before (maybe he smoked too much stuff while he was in California). The Big Guy must of told him, he needed some positive P.R. because the wannabe entertainment, was a joke as far as me and the groups I talked to were concerned. Check other areas before u make bold-face ridiculous statements in the future Mike.
August 11th, 2010 at 10:26 pm
I agree with Ali and Rami,King Jack must have told Albano to crank up the spin machine to maximum for a bit. The Homecoming is a complete joke and waste of money,all i ever see is the same reunion people and same drunks waiting for their favorite weekend of the year. In a year from now King jack will close the pools and libraries but make sure good ol’ homecoming goes right on according to schedule. The sad part is that all of the “sheep” and “phonies” that live here will be right back to it yucking it up.
August 12th, 2010 at 8:02 am
According to the city…(and I know they spin things, from a much closer position than most of you who comment here.) a good portion of Homecoming is paid for by sponsorships. I know that the city does kick in a fair amount. Check the city budget for the tagged amount and then guess at what you’d like for untagged costs like DPW, Park Rangers, Police and Fire.
Unfortunately, Fedupnow (and everyone else), corporate sponsors won’t layout big money for things like Libraries and Swimming Pools. They’re not as flashy (no pun intended) as fireworks, carnivals and for that matter professional ballparks (I know Dearborn doesn’t have any of these, but how many cities, Detroit included, have the Comerica or U.S. Cellular or Staples Branch Library?) Is there an Oakwood Pool? There should be. After all, Ten Eyck is right in their backyard and as has been hashed over and over again, swimming is a great wellness activity.
Where is the civic minded philanthropist like Carnagie? (Who built both libraries and swimming pools.)
August 12th, 2010 at 10:09 pm
I think there is a much greater city cost for Homecoming than what people are led to believe. If you go by the park it seems like every city employee is there 2 or 3 weeks before homecoming begins and than another week after its over and i would guess there is overtime involved also.
If King jack or any city government stopped their wasteful spending then the pools wouldn’t even be in jeopardy.
We can all go back to the last administration and now this one,which is basically the same administration but just more incompetent and count all of the blunders and bad business and land deals and so on. But that why there is a spin machine to make everyone forget about that and just think about pools and libraries.
August 16th, 2010 at 8:14 am
Wow, what a bunch of professional complainers. I’m with Michael on this one, that was definitely one of the more crowded homecomings I can remember attending and I bet I spent alot more time there than most of the negative do nothings on this board. Let me ask you a question since many of you seem dead set on constantly whining about how crappy things are here. What are these Dearborn “glory days” your o’ pining for? You trash this administration, and complain about the previous ones corruption. So that takes your disdain back to at least 1985. Judging by your comments about our curremnt mayor I get the feeling many of you weren’t a fan of John Sr. so that take us back to the Hubbard administration. Is that the last time you were happy with your citys leadership?? If you’ve been unhappy for this long why haven’t you left? I’m sure Melvindale, Lincoln Park, Allen Park, or Taylor would love to have you. And I’m sure 99% of Dearborn residents wouldn’t miss you and your negative attitudes either.
August 17th, 2010 at 9:33 pm
Jason, you are right. Dearborn is a wonderful place to live. Sure, there are problems and it could always be better but I wouldn’t move to ANY other suburb of Detroit. Its the place to live if you’re going to live in Southeast Mi. Unfortunately, too many people are jumping on the bandwagon of complainers. There is plenty we would miss if we move to one of the cities you mentioned. I think we need to start concentrating on the good things we have and try to curb the bad reputation we are creating from within.
What other city has the great neighborhoods and communities we have? SOP is a shining example.