Little Bit Country
Friday, August 1, 2025
5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
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About
Join us for the August First Fridays, where we will be going a "Little Bit Country." Get out your bolo ties, boots, belt buckles, and cowboy hats, and head downtown for a rootin' tootin' good time! We will even be giving out prizes to the best dressed!
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We will be closing the 100 of S. Michigan for our First Fridays Block Party with dining in the street, live country music by Flat Water Music, line dancing, a country craft, photo op, and both food and artisan vendors. Additional music will be provided by the TMV Jammers, Doug Harsch, and Brian Mach.
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We will be partnering with Connect 574 on a First Fridays Scavenger Hunt, the Yeah Totally Vintage Market returns to the Gridiron, South Bend Latin Dance is back at Studebaker Plaza, plus Summer Restaurant Weeks, Chicory Shrimp Boil, Howard Park Summer Concert Series, Architectural Walking Tours, and more!​
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And, as always, enjoy live music, art exhibits, dining specials, and much more. Check out all the details below!
FREE PARKING
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Parking (on-street and in City-managed garages) is always free in downtown South Bend nights and weekends. For full details on downtown parking options, click here.
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ROAD CLOSURES
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Michigan Street between Washington and Wayne:
1:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m.
Entertainment, Activities, & Dining Specials for August
First Fridays Block Party
100 Block of S. Michigan St.
5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
DTSB will be bringing back the Michigan Street First Fridays Block Party for a 6th year, and closing down the 100 block of S. Michigan Street (between Washington & Jefferson) for vendors, entertainment, outdoor dining, and more! These First Fridays block parties take place May through October and are open to visitors of all ages.
Grab some takeout from your favorite downtown eatery or from one of our food vendors and head to the block party where we will have a seating area in the street with food and retail vendors plus free entertainment.
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For the August First Fridays, we will have music by Brian Mach (5:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.) and Flat Water (6:00 p.m. to 8:45 p.m.)
Best Dressed Contest
100 & 200 Blocks of S. Michigan St. plus Gridiron
5:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
We encourage First Fridays guests to dress for the theme, with their favorite western wear - cowboy boots, cowboy hats, bolo ties, fringe, etc. DTSB staff will be awarding prizes to the best dressed throughout the event.
20% off at SB Chocolate to those in Western Wear
122 S. Michigan St.
5:00 pm. to 9:00 p.m.
South Bend Chocolate Cafe will be offering 20% off to those dressed for the theme - cowboy hats, boots, etc.. They will also be featuring the following food/drink specials:
$5 kids' meals
$4 kids' ice cream
$3 hot chocolate
2/$20 crunch/pretzels
August First Fridays Vendors
Gridiron and 100 Block of S. Michigan St.
5:00 pm. to 9:00 p.m.
The following vendors and organizations will be at the August First Fridays:
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Aaron Helman Books
Al/Bee Productions
Author Stephanie J. Salisbury
Balloons by Ken
BluEnvy
Bobby's Pillow Company
Bokoba
Burrito Mafia
Butcher's Bounty Pet Treats
Cambodian Thai Restaurant
Carbonated Creations
Castillo creations
City of South Bend
Dena's Kitchen
Denson Specialties
Designs By Lan
Dixon's Specialty Popcorn
El llanito #2
Electric Energy
Faith and Sight
Fitzgerald’s Smokehouse BBQ
For you by j
Froggies Concessions & Inflatables
Kate’s Kitchen LLC
Ko-s port-a-pit
Kona Ice
L’S BARBEQUE
Leadership SBM
LoopsbySandy
Mariana Publishing
mi tierra taqueria
Mimis Catery
Motha Earth Health & Beauty LLC
Ninja Rolls
PetsConnect
Punjabi Rasoi
Red Monster Crafts
Renewal by Anderson
Retech Displays
SJCPL
South Bend Career Academy
South Bend Roller Derby
StarrPower
Temet Jewelry
Texas Roadhouse
The Indiana Whiskey Company
Turquoise Serene Escapes
US 12 vintage station
105 E. Jefferson Blvd.
5:00 pm. to 9:00 p.m.
Chicory will be having one of their famous Shrimp Boils this First Fridays, plus live music from 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m., free beignets with purchase from 3:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m., and $5 Hurricane and Blue Long Island specials!
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The Shrimp Boil will take place 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Each $20 entree will include Gulf shrimp, potatoes, corn on the cob, Andouille sausage, and garlic butter. Available while supplies last. Preorders encouraged but not required, and can be made by calling 574-234-1141.
Howard Park
6:00 pm. to 8:00 p.m.
VPA will be hosting free concerts in Howard Park this summer on First Fridays May through September. Attendees are encouraged to bring their own lawn chair or blanket and carryout from a downtown eatery for a picnic in the park set to music! The August 1 band will be Memphis Underground.
Movies at the Morris: Grease Sing-Along
211 N. Michigan St.
7:00 p.m.
Movies at the Morris Presents: “Grease Sing-Along” this First Fridays. Tickets are required for this free event and can be reserved at this link.
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This is the final movie of their 2025 series! Throw on your leather jackets and poodle skirts, slick back that hair, and get ready to sing and dance along with Danny, Sandy, and the whole Rydell High crew. With lyrics on screen, Grease becomes an immersive experience where you are part of the show.​​
Make a Mug with The Pigeon & The Hen Pottery
105 E. Jefferson Bld.
5:00 pm. to 7:00 p.m.
The Pigeon & The Hen Pottery will be in front of Chicory Cafe this First Fridays, helping you to make a mug!
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For just $25, you can make your very own pottery mug in a guided 25-minute wheel session. Your custom mug will be ready in 4 weeks.
Seitz Park
11:45 a.m. to 1:15 p.m.
Fridays by Fountain is a free outdoor lunchtime concert series, which takes place the months of June, July, and August, with a variety of music from local blues, jazz, rock, folk, and country bands. Food vendors are available, offering a variety of lunchtime favorites or you may choose to bring your own.
This year Fridays by the Fountain is hitting the road and will visit Seitz Park in August. The August 1 concert will feature PT & The Cruisers.
200 block of S. Michigan St.
5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
The Studebaker Drivers Club will have their cars on display this First Fridays on Washington Street by the Gridiron from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Admission is free.
706 East Jefferson Blvd.
5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
Swing by The Beehive Salon Pop-Up Shop during First Fridays Shop local, support small, and treat yourself to something special.
Gridiron in Downtown South Bend
5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
We are excited to welcome back the Yeah, Totally Vintage Market to First Fridays! Over 20 vintage vendors will be out on the Gridiron selling their awesome wares!
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Enjoy music by Doug Harsch on the Gridiron 5:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
Country-Themed Photo Ops
Various locations
5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
We will have various country-themed photo ops this First Fridays! DTSB has set up a Country Photo Op outside their offices at 217 S. Michigan St. Use #DTSBLove and share your photos! Special thanks to Ambassador Dan for bringing this beautiful photo op to life!
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Photo ops will also be available in Key Bank Plaza and near the DTSB booth.
Summer Restaurant Weeks
Various downtown restaurants
July 25 through August 10
Explore the fine food, signature dishes, and outstanding original preparations offered during Summer Restaurant Weeks at downtown South Bend’s locally-owned restaurants. Loads of tasty food and beverage specials await. Start making your reservations today!
Also, approximately 10% of the proceeds from every meal purchased at Restaurant Weeks will be donated to Beacon Children’s Hospital!
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Click here for more information and to view all the menus individually, or all together in an online flipbook!
First Fridays Scavenger Hunt
237 N. Michigan St.
5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Ready to explore downtown in a whole new way? DTSB is teaming up with Connect 574 for the first-ever First Fridays Scavenger Hunt on August 1! Discover hidden gems, meet new people, and uncover a few surprises along the way. For more info and tickets, click here.
Latin Dance Party
Studebaker Plaza
8:00 p.m. to 10:30 p.m.
South Bend Latin Dance is returning to Studebaker Plaza for a First Fridays Latin Dance Party, with salsa, bachata, cumbia and more!
This event is open to all ages and skill levels, and includes a half-hour lesson at 8:00 p.m., followed by open dancing until 10:30 p.m. $5 cover.
120 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.
5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Join SBMA (the South Bend Museum of Art) for a vibrant First Fridays celebration as they honor the donors, sponsors, artists, and volunteers who make their work possible. This special evening will feature the recognition of their Festival of Banners winners, the talented participants in our High School and College Residency Program, and the homeowners and volunteers behind this year’s successful Garden Walk fundraiser.
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Guests will also enjoy the opening of three new exhibitions: High School and College Residency Exhibition in the Community Gallery, ev Leto: Memory and Endurance in the Project Room, and Alain Helfrich and Timothy Tinker: In Here Life Is Beautiful in the Art League Gallery.
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Remarks and recognitions begin at 6:00 p.m. Free and open to the public.
101 N. Michigan St.
6:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
Enjoy a fun and informative guided walking tour of South Bend landmark buildings, exploring their history and present day use.
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The tours cover over twenty historical buildings and more than a half-dozen city blocks in the heart of downtown South Bend. Tours are $10 per person (cash only) with reservations requested for each tour. Reservations can be made online here or by calling Downtown South Bend at 574-282-1110. Tours start at the American Trust Company clock, located at the corner of Washington St. and Michigan St., in front of Cafe Navarre.
214 S. Michigan St.
5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
he TMV (The Music Village) Jammers will be performing under the State Theater Marquee from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
Headliner Kerryn Feehan at the Drop Comedy Club
435 S. Michigan St.
9:00 p.m.
In case you didn't hear, The Drop Comedy Club relocated to the Rocki Button and features amazing comedy shows every weekend! This First Fridays they will have headliner Kerryn Feehan featuring Aaron Putnam.
DTSB will be giving DTSB will be featuring a contest on their Facebook page for a pair of free tickets to the First Fridays show.
Ongoing First Fridays Promotions
714 E. Jefferson Blvd.
A Healing Oasis invites you to attend their First Fridays Open House, which is all about you coming to find out what their practitioners have to offer. Healers share their "magic" by offering mini sessions. You will also have a chance to check out their retail space, group events, and what services are at A Healing Oasis.
127 N. Main St.
Enjoy live music by Kennedy's Kitchen from 8:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. every First Fridays!
1025 Northside Blvd.
Live music by Lucas Miner and 20% off bottles of MI Cabernet Franc​
121 S. Niles Ave.
Perry Vine - located inside the Emporium Building - will be doing tastings this First Fridays. Enjoy three free 1 oz. tastings, and additional for tastings $1.50. In partnership with Island Fusion guests may buy a meal and a glass and dine in the atrium area adjacent to our store — please note seats are limited. They will also have bottles for sale! Bring back your clean bottles and receive 10% off your next purchase!
218 Sycamore St.
They are located near Fire Arts and are a minority-owned studio that is seeking to build individual and community power through pole dance. They provide quality pole instruction and a welcoming atmosphere for all of their students.
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They will be featuring an Intro to Pole Class every First Fridays from 6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. for $22. Registration is required and can be done on their website.
WXYZ Bar at Aloft
111 N. Main St.
Buy 1 flatbread pizza and get a 2nd flatbread pizza at 1/2 off; plus monthly Cocktail for a Cause, with $1 from every cocktail sold donated to their featured charity of the month.
Plus Live @ Aloft with DJ Outlaw playing your favorite tunes. Live @ Aloft features local artists, groups or DJs playing music every Friday from 8:00 to 10:00 p.m. in the WXYZ lounge.
SPONSORS
