DEARBORN, Mich.— August 4-6, 2017 ACCESS, the nation’s largest Arab American community nonprofit organization, and its Arab American National Museum (AANM), will host the first ever Arab American cultural tent at the 38th annual Dearborn Homecoming.
Dearborn’s Homecoming is a free, three-day festival with continuous entertainment on multiple stages (including national and regional performers), family and children events, a large carnival, and magnificent fireworks Saturday and Sunday. This year, ACCESS and AANM will host the inaugural Arab American Tent in the tradition of the festival’s Polish American Shelter and Italian American Shelter.
The purpose of the festival is to “bring back” and reunite current and former Dearborn residents for a community wide celebration. For years, the Arab American community has had a small presence at the festival but this year will see it expanded to reflect the growing and diverse population in Dearborn, Michigan.
“This is a community that is proud of its diversity and of Dearborn being a welcoming place. ACCESS is proud to present the Arab American tent and looks forward to the continued celebration of our rich history and diverse heritage as a city,” said Hassan Jaber, ACCESS executive director and CEO.
The Arab American tent is a welcome addition to Homecoming that will be featuring Arabic food, including halal offerings; desserts; entertainment, the AANM Store, giveaways and more.
ACCESS’ Youth and Education department, along with AANM, will also host a separate Family Tent that will offer parents and children free resources, and arts and crafts on top of the hill at Ford Field.
In collaboration with ACCESS, Lions Club of Michigan—U of M Dearborn Chapter will also provide free vision screenings for kids at the Family Tent.
Festival activities are at Ford Field Park, 22051 Cherry Hill, Friday-Sunday Aug. 4-6. Free shuttles and free parking are available offsite.
Visit www.cityofdearborn.org/homecoming for more information about the festival and registration for events.
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About ACCESS
Grounded in a grassroots commitment to serving our community, ACCESS has a 46-year history of providing health, education, employment and social services. An Arab American nonprofit of excellence, ACCESS empowers communities in Southeast Michigan to improve their economic, social and cultural well-being and extends this mission nationally through its three national institutions— the Arab American National Museum (AANM), the Center for Arab American Philanthropy (CAAP) and the National Network for Arab American Communities (NNAAC). Learn more at www.accesscommunity.org.