Tailgating with the Ford Team: Family Open House Season Kicks Off

Aug 28, 2026

Blue and white striped carnival tents line the lot, with crowds cheering from every direction. Kids shriek with laughter as they race Ford Performance RC cars across makeshift tracks. A young girl's face is painted like a fairy tiger. The smell of chicken drifts off the grill. A father holds his young son up, pointing to an F-150 rolling off the line. This is Ford's Family Open House, and it's back!

There's a moment every Ford employee experiences: pointing to a vehicle on the road and telling the people you love, "I was part of that." But what's better is showing them where it all comes together.

That's exactly what's been happening across the U.S. and Canada as Ford's Family Open House season kicks into gear. Four years ago, this tradition made its return, and it's since grown into one of the most anticipated days of the year at plants across Ford Manufacturing. At every stop, the mission is the same: celebrate employees' hard work and invite their supporting families to celebrate right alongside them.

So far this season, Ford has hosted five Family Open House events. Families have been lining up for carnival games, with kids running from station to station trying to hit every game before the event ends. Plant tours have given families a firsthand look at where the work happens. Add in complimentary tailgate food, exclusive giveaways, car shows, and a community area where employees can connect with local partners as Ford hosts a family-friendly event.

But ask anyone why these events really matter, and it's rarely about the games.

At Cleveland Engine, one team member put it simply: "We love what we do here, and I'm happy I get to show my kids where I work." It's the difference between telling your family about your job and letting them see, firsthand, what it means to be part of the Ford team. Another employee at Chicago Stamping said, "It's a blessing to be here. I never would have been able to provide better for my family than to come to work for Ford."

Take a look at our first few events and stay tuned for more. The tailgate is just getting started, with stops still ahead at Lima Engine, Kentucky Truck, Kansas City Assembly, Sharonville Transmission, Chicago Assembly, Flat Rock Assembly, and Essex Engine.