Fall in Love with Downtown
October 6, 2022
2022 info appears below
2023 info coming soon!
Downtown South Bend will be embracing the season this First Fridays with a Fall Frolic!
About
Downtown South Bend will be celebrating fall with this "Fall Frolic" theme, closing down the 200 block of S. Michigan Street for an Oktoberfest Block Party with live polka music by Will Smaka's Music Connection, German food from Weiss' Gasthaus, a beer garden, a fall photo op, vendors, and more!
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Over the Edge will be back downtown for its sixth year of raising funds for Youth Service Bureau of St. Joseph County, and the block party on Michigan Street will be a great spot to watch participants rappel off the Robertson's Building.​
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Pumpkin Palooza is back at South Bend Chocolate Cafe, we will have an EV Car display, and much more is in store! Check out full 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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South Michigan Street will be closed between Jefferson and Wayne from 1:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m.
Entertainment and Activities
Over the Edge
Studebaker Plaza
2:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
Over the Edge is a fundraiser for Youth Service Bureau in which amazing people sign up to raise $1,000 or more to help homeless youth in our community. Each participant who reaches this goal will have the opportunity to rappel down the side of the Robertson's Building this first Fridays. Click here to donate.
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Come out and watch these fearless philanthropists scale down the building. A physically-distanced viewing area will be set up on Michigan Street by Studebaker Plaza with a beer garden provided by Chicory Cafe.
Oktoberfest Block Party on Michigan Street
200 Block of South Michigan Street
2:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.
DTSB will be repeating the Michigan Street Block Party and closing down the 200 block of S. Michigan Street for an Oktoberfest Block Party!
Grab some takeout from your favorite downtown eatery and head to the 200 block of S. Michigan St. (between Jefferson and Wayne) where we will have a seating area in the street with beer from Chicory, German food from Weiss' Gasthaus, vendors, Studebaker cars, a free polka concert by Will Smaka's Music Connection from 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m., an Over the Edge viewing area, and more! The seating areas will be open to people of all ages.
Pumpkin Palooza at South Bend Chocolate Cafe
122 S. Michigan St.
5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
The first 200 visitors to the South Bend Chocolate Cafe this First Fridays will receive a free pumpkin to carve, with the donation of pet food for the Humane Society of St. Joseph County. Carving tools and table space will be available. 50 small pumpkins will also be available for the younger kids to decorate.
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Carved pumpkins can be taken home, or left to be displayed on Michigan Street that evening as luminaries, and will be available to take home after that. Also take advantage of their First Fridays special: 2 for $20 any crunch/pretzel combo.
DTSB Fall Photo Op
217 S. Michigan St.
5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
DTSB has set up a Fall Photo Op with hay bales, mums, pumpkins and corn stalks right outside their offices at 217 S. Michigan. The photo area will remain up for the month of October. Take some fun photos and post them using #DTSBFallFun. Special thanks to Matthys Farm Market for helping supply the fall items!
200 Block of South Michigan Street
5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
The Studebaker Drivers Club will have their cars on display this First Fridays on Michigan Street near CJ's from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Admission is free.
111 N. Main St.
8:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.
Live @ Aloft in the WXYZ bar will feature DJ Outlaw playing your favorite tunes October 7. Live @ Aloft features local artists, groups or DJs playing music every Friday from 8:00 to 10:00 p.m. in the WXYZ lounge.
The WXYZ bar also has "Cocktails for a Cause" with $1 from every cocktail sold donated to their featured charity of the month. This month's cocktail is the REAL Deal supporting REAL Services. Also take advantage of their First Fridays special - buy 1 flatbread pizza and get a 2nd flatbread pizza at 1/2 off.
Key Bank Plaza
5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Stop by the DTSB info booth for a free fall craft and contest.
333 W. Colfax Ave.
5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
Check out River Montessori High School this First Fridays! They will be having an open house at their location featuring a fall craft, plus a booth near the I Heart SB Statue. Additionally, a shuttle will be running every 30 minutes between school and the booth.
The Drop Comedy Club
111 N. Main St.
9:00 p.m.
In case you didn't hear, the Drop Comedy Club relocated to the Aloft Hotel and features amazing comedy shows every Friday and Saturday night! This First Fridays they will have Co-Headliners, Dean Jernigan and Jason Laffoon. Tickets are $15 and can be purchased at this link.
Guided Walking Tour of Historic West Washington District
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 $5/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.)
Electric Vehicle Display
The Gridiron
5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
Join the South Bend Office of Sustainability, Michiana Area Council of Governments, and Drive Clean Indiana as they host an Electric Vehicle Display at the Gridiron for National Drive Electric Week!
Get behind the wheel and experience an electric vehicle first hand! Hear from electric vehicle drivers about their experience. Learn what electric vehicles are available locally (both new and used), how and where to find electric vehicle charging stations, what purchasing incentives are available, and more!
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Electric vehicle owners are welcome & encouraged to bring their electric vehicles to the event! Test drives may be available from dealerships, pending availability. Learn more at this link.
Fall Frolic Fiesta at Merrimans' Playhouse
401 E. Colfax Ave.
5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
A fiery, passionate, and colorful flamenco dance and music performance will be presented by Spanish Rose Dance Studio, hosted by Merrimans’ Playhouse. This exciting event will take place behind Merrimans’ Playhouse, on the outside patio along the East Race on the east side of the Commerce Center Building. There will be flamenco dancers, and live music presented by Bryan Edington on guitar and guests, as well as Merrimans’ Play-House Players. Come join the fun!
Bike Valet provided by SB Bicycle Garage
Key Bank Plaza
5:00 p.m. to 9:00 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 Key Bank Plaza (by the I Heart SB statue) 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. Preregistration can be found on their website, specifically at this link.
Check in will be done via an app that will provide you with a text claim number on your phone, or they can give you a claim ticket if you don't want to use your phone.
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.
New Industry Dance at South Bend Museum of Art
120 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., Blvd.
6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
​Line Dancing
The Gridiron
6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Line dancing featuring instructions, with popular songs such as Cotton Eyed Joe and The Electric Slide. Fun for the whole family. Admission is $5.
Giveaways at 1st Source Bank Lounge
Studebaker Plaza
5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Visit the 1st Source Bank Lounge at Studebaker Plaza for giveaways this First Fridays. They welcome 1st Source Bank as the 2022 presenting sponsor for First Fridays!
Boujee Pumpkin Painting at The Pigeon & The Hen
217 S. Michigan St.
Grab a friend and visit The Pigeon & The Hen Pottery to paint and decorate your own fancy white pumpkin. Participants are encouraged to bring their creative ideas to make the most lavish, glitz, and glamorous pumpkin ever. The Pigeon & The Hen Pottery will provide templates, paint brushes, fancy acrylic paints, glitter and one small white pumpkin for $20. Purchase tickets online by clicking here, or walks ins are welcome.
Featured Latte at St. Joe Coffee Company
305 S. Michigan St.
The St. Joe Coffee Company – located in the St. Joseph County Public Library’s Main Branch (the entrance at Wayne and Michigan) – will be featuring a special drink this First Fridays: “Grandma's Blueberry Delight Latte.” It consists of espresso, your choice of milk, blueberry syrup, and a little bit of chai. They also suggest getting cinnamon and/or nutmeg as a free topping.
Fall Drink Specials at Cafe Navarre
101 N. Michigan St.
Cafe Navarre will be featuring hot apple cider for $4, and $1 off their adult hot apple cider - the Low Tide, featuring Crown Royal Maple, cinnamon, clove, and mole bitters (regular price $13.) Also check out their fall dessert drinks: October Forever, with vanilla vodka, Irish cream, coffee liquer, and pumpkin puree ($12) and Guided by the Moon, with vanilla vodka, sour green apple, caramel, and pumpkin pie spice ($11.)
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First Fridays Vendors
200 Block of Michigan St.
The following food vendors, retail vendors, sponsors, and nonprofit groups will be located on the 200 block of S. Michigan St.; Aaron Helman Books, Acceptance Insurance, Bglam LLC, Bizzy Babe LLC, Bling, Rings and Fancy Things, BluEnvy, Can't be tamed, Caricaturist Dave, Blodgett, Chicory, Clay Church, Dixon's Hosting & Catering (popcorn), Fancy Schmancy Face Painting, Floor Coverings Michiana, Foster Fun Station, Hot Toddy Tarot, JRMIDWESTART, Land & Sea Catering, LaShay LaVae, MJ's Unica Bracelets, Pose 4 Me 360, PRLCreative, Relay for Life, SAFY, Tonka's BBQ, United Way of St. Joseph County, US 12 Vintage Station.
Specials on Retail and Dining
Ongoing First Fridays Promotions
SPONSORS
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