For the first time in 45 years, the Dearborn Homecoming Festival will have a curfew.
Children 17 and younger must be accompanied by an adult after 4 p.m. at the festival, which is open from noon to 10:30 p.m. Aug. 7-9. The Dearborn Police Department expects more than 100,000 people to attend.
Cpl. Dan Bartok Jr., public information officer for the Dearborn Police Department, said the city does not anticipate any issues this year but “the curfew was added to encourage parents to keep a watchful eye on their children and be responsible for their children.”
“We believe the curfew will bring an additional safety level and have a positive impact,” Batok Jr. said.
Dearborn Mayor Abdullah Hammoud said the festival has always been hosted as a “celebration
of the unique cultures in the city of Dearborn."
The festival features food and beverages, carnival rides, an Arts District and Vendor Village and live music.
New this year is Baby Bash. Held from 12:30-4 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 7, Baby Bash focuses on family-friendly activities such as story time with the Dearborn Public Library, sing-alongs and characters in costumes.
“We like to host a lot of events for children and families to make sure everybody experiences homecoming to the greatest possible potential,” Hammoud said.
Additionally, All-Stars Day was added a few years ago as a free event catered to children and adults with special needs. All-Stars Day, which runs from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Friday, provides food on a first-come, first-served basis, sensory-friendly games, face painting and carnival rides.
“We open up the festival before it gets too crowded just for families of special needs.” Hammoud said.
Homecoming ‘is a great economic draw for the city,” Hammoud said, adding that the weekend brings in $4-9 million with a portion of the proceeds going to local nonprofits.
Hammoud said the festival has no gate admission and several free events. Admission into the carnival is $37 per person.
“That is what’s beautiful,” he said. “It’s not an event that has a high price tag to enter. The fireworks are free, the music is free.”
This year’s headlining musical acts are Martina McBride (Saturday) and Chance the Rapper (Sunday).
For more information on Dearborn Homecoming Festival and entertainment, visit https://www.dearbornhomecoming.com/.
This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Dearborn Homecoming Festival enacts curfew for first time
