Pedals and Petals
Friday, May 2, 2025
5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
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About
Downtown South Bend is celebrating both cycling and plants this May First Fridays with a "Pedals & Petals" theme. We will be previewing Michiana Bike to Work Week with "Pedals" activities such as a bicycle parade, and bicycle valet parking. We will also be celebrating the changing season and flowers/plants that are blossoming with various "Petals" activities including a plant sale & swap on the Gridiron, and a flower craft activity.
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Also, the Michigan Street First Fridays Block Party will be returning to the 100 block of S. Michigan Street (between Jefferson & Wayne) with music, food, vendors, and more. Plus, the return of the Architectural Walking Tours and concerts in Howard Park!​
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And, as always, enjoy live music, art exhibits, dining specials, and much more. Check out all the details below!
BLOCK PARTY ROAD CLOSURES
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The 100 Block of S. Michigan Street from Washington to Jefferson will be closed from 1:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m. as well as Jefferson from the Leighton Parking Garage entrance to Michigan Street.
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.
Entertainment & Dining Specials for May
Plant Swap & Sale
The Gridiron
5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Come shop for plants, flowers, and more at DTSB's third annual Plant Swap & Sale. We have invited local plant enthusiasts to bring plants to sell & swap - both indoor and outdoor plants, flowers, etc. both decorative and fruits/veggies, in addition to starters, seeds, and any other gardening-related items. The event will take place on the Gridiron and it is free to attend. Feel free to bring items to swap!
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If you're a local grower, gardener, greenhouse, etc. and would like to have a FREE space at this event to swap and/or sell click here to register and select the Plant Swap & Sale option.
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We are excited to have several local plant enthusiasts, Unity Gardens, and The Botany Shop - who will be featuring a make-and-take terrarium bar and make-and-take fairy wands/garden stakes as well as plants for sale.
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 5th 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 are free and are open to visitors of all ages.
Grab some takeout from your favorite downtown eatery or grab something from one of our food vendors and head to the block party where we will have a seating area in the street with beer from Chicory, vendors, and the following free entertainment:
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5:30 p.m. - Music by the Justin Staublin Band
6:30 p.m. - Bicycle Parade
6:45 p.m. - Performance by the IU South Bend Kickline
7:00 p.m. - Music by the Justin Staublin Band
Studebaker Car Show
Jefferson Boulevard
5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
The Studebaker Drivers Club will have their cars on display this First Fridays on Jefferson Boulevard by Studebaker Plaza from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Admission is free.
Opening Reception at Bunbury Gallery
300 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.
5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
We welcome our newest First Fridays participant – Bunbury Gallery – located in the historic St. Joseph Station and featuring a mixture of regional, national and international artists. This First Fridays, in keeping with the Pedals part of our theme, they will be hosting an opening reception for South Bend-based artist Terrible Tony highlighting his flower series of paintings and releasing his first silkscreen limited edition print.
First Fridays Vendors
Block Party and Gridiron
5:00 pm. to 9:00 p.m.
We are excited to have the following vendors and organizations at the May First Fridays:
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American Legion 284
The Arty People
Bair Country Coffee Co
The Botany Shop
Butcher's Bounty Pet Treats
Cambodian Thai Restaurant
Crazy in Yarn
Cricket Wireless
D'Sweet Spot
DeBartolo Performing Arts Center
Deb's Things
Dena's Kitchen
Denson Specialties
Eat Well LLC
Froggies Concession and Inflatables
Happy Wholesome Living Online LLC
Heaven Help Us Pastries
Indiana Whiskey
Kate’s kitchen
King of the Kettle
KO's Port-a-Pit
L’S BARBEQUE
LoopsbySandy
My Taco Express
Oak Street Health
PetsConnect!
The Pigeon & The Hen Pottery
Red Monster Crafts
Renewal by Anderson
Sea Moss for Life
SJCPL
Temet Jewelry
Unity Gardens
University of Michigan Club of Michiana
Howard Park Summer Concert Series
219 S. St. Louis Blvd.
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 May 2 band will be Los Luna Latin Band.
Exhibition Receptions at South Bend Museum of Art
120 S. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., Blvd.
5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Visit the South Bend Museum of Art on First Fridays to celebrate their new Spring exhibitions, Ramiro Rodriguez: Linaje a Línea (Lineage to Line) and Dustin Philipson: The Plinth Degree! With artist talks, printmaking activities, and interactive video art. Free, all ages welcome.
Headliner Alan Ford at The Drop
111 N. Main 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 Alan Ford featuring Will Hill.
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.
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Bicycle Parade
100 block of S. Michigan St.
6:30 p.m. & 7:00 p.m.
In partnership and promotion of Michiana Bike to Work Week, taking place May 12-18, we will be having our third annual First Fridays Bicycle Parade. Participants of all ages are invited to decorate their bikes (and to costume themselves to match if they so wish!) for a chance to win prizes.
No advance registration is required. Lineup will take place at the south end of the block party at 6:15 p.m. (by the bike valet, in front of Chicory) and participants will make loops in the 100 block of S. Michigan Street. Awards will be presented immediately after the parade. Helmets are strongly encouraged.​
south end of 100 block of S. Michigan
5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
The South Bend Bike Garage will be providing a First Fridays Bike Valet which will allow you to ride to the event without having to worry about locking up your bike. They will provide a free, secure, manned area at the south end of the block party (in front of Chicory) where your bike will be put on a rack until you return to pick it up. Your helmet can also be stored with your bike.
The South Bend Bike Garage will also offer to clean your bike while you enjoy the festivities. Cleaning will consist of wiping down the bike, cleaning & lubricating the drive train, and making minor adjustments so the bike is clean and ready to roll safely when you pick it up. They will also have maps of local trails and safety information available.
302 W Washington St.
6:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
We're switching up our normal historic walking tour that takes place during the summer First Fridays. This time we're touring the beautiful West Washington Street area, a National Register District showcasing an exemplary and eclectic blend of architectural styles and structures. Once home to influential citizens, titans of industry, civic leaders, and other prominent families; West Washington Street is now replete with businesses and residents that value and preserve the fine architectural legacy left in their care by those that preceded them.
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Tour guide Steve Szaday with the City of South Bend, in conjunction with Historic Preservation Commission of South Bend and St. Joseph County, will lead the evening tours. Cost for these 90-minute tours are just $10/person (cash only.) Reservations can be made by clicking here or by calling 574-282-1110. This tour will meet at 6:00 p.m. at the historic Ambassadors for Christ Church, 302 W. Washington St. (the southwest corner of Washington and Lafayette.)
Flower Wall Photo Op
217 S. Michigan St.
Throughout May
DTSB has set up a Flower Wall for photo ops 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!
Live Music, Drink Specials, Free Beignets, and Crab & Shrimp Feast for Two at Chicory
105 E. Jefferson Blvd.
5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
Chicory Cafe will have live music by David Rees from 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m., drink specials of $5 Hurricanes and Blue Raspberry Long Islands, plus free Beignets w/ purchase from 4:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
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Chicory will also be having another one of their famous Crab & Shrimp Feasts for Two Carry-Out. Preorder is required. Each dinner will include a pound of snow crab, twelve gulf shrimp, four pieces of Andouille sausage, two pieces of corn on the cob, eight seasoned potatoes, garlic butter, and a crab shell cracker tool for $59.99 per order. The food will be hot on pick up, or you choose to get this meal cold and steam it yourself (they will provide instructions). Pre-order by 10:00 a.m. April 2.
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!
333 S. Michigan St.
Enjoy amazing bargains on books, CDs, DVDs, magazines, and more for both kids and adults from 12:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
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
