September 3, 2021
2020 September First Fridays information appears below. 2021 information coming soon!
Downtown South Bend will be going to the dogs for the September First Fridays, as we celebrate the "Dog Days of Summer." Bring your furry friend downtown for a fun night out!
We will have booths with animal rescue groups and organizations who provide goods and services for animals, as well as the opportunity to dine with your dog at one of our downtown pet-friendly patios. We will also be closing down the 200 block of S. Michigan St. for distanced dining in the street once again, with live music by The American Hotel System from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. and The Drop Comedy Showcase from 9:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.
To make this event as safe as possible, we will be requiring masks and physical distancing. We will also be limiting the amount of people per block should we still be in Stage 4.5 on September 4.
Plus, as always, enjoy live music, dining specials, and much more. Check out all the details below!
FREE PARKING
Parking (on-street and in DTSB-managed garages) is always free in downtown South Bend nights and weekends. For full details on downtown parking options, click here.
ROAD CLOSURES
The 200 block of S. Michigan Street will be closed between Jefferson Wayne from noon to 11:30 p.m. to allow for seating areas, booths, entertainment, and more.
Entertainment & Activities
5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
in and nearby Studebaker Plaza
Several animal rescue groups and organizations who provide goods & services to animals will be located in and nearby Studebaker Plaza. Click here for a map.
enter a drawing for a free day of daycare
free nail trims
treats
selling organic dog treats and eco-friendly collars, plus will have dart game with prizes
Sheltie Rescue of Central Indiana, Northern Division
Dog and owner look-alike contest at their booth from 5:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. with prize packages for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place; plus free dog bandanas
South Bend Animal Resource Center
adoptable dogs and Petlinko for the humans to play
Sudzy Puppy Grooming Salon, LLC
giveaways
Urban Picnic on Michigan Street
4:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.
200 Block of South Michigan Street
DTSB will be repeating the Urban Picnic that took place for the August First Fridays, and closing down a block of Michigan Street for physically-distanced (pet-friendly) dining areas and entertainment once again for the September First Fridays!
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 two physically-distanced seating areas in the street with beer gardens at both, plus live music, vendors, and more! The seating areas will be open to people of all ages. One seating area will be located in the street in front of South Bend Brew Werks, and the other will be located in the street between Studebaker Plaza and the I Heart SB Statue.
Tables and chairs will be cleaned by DTSB Ambassadors throughout the event, and hand sanitizer will be available. We will also be limiting the number of people in the seating areas per the Stage 4.5 regulations. Masks will be required except during times guests are seated, eating, or drinking. We will be checking temperatures as well.
There will be a free concert by The American Hotel System - an alternative rock band from Grand Rapids - from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. and a free Comedy Showcase presented by The Drop Comedy Club from 9:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. (note - content matter for the Comedy Showcase is best suited for mature audiences.)
Studebaker Brewing Co. BBQ, Band & Brewfest
5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
620 W. Washington St.
Studebaker Brewing Co. will be hosting a BBQ, Band & Brew Fest Tent Party on the grounds of Tippecanoe Place from 5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. on September 4. All-inclusive tickets are available for $30 in advance and $35 on the day of the event.
All-inclusive ticket holders will receive four beer samples from local breweries, a souvenir glass, and a combo BBQ platter with brisket, pulled pork, smoked wings, and corn on the cob. There will be live music by Gen X from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
The event will feature beers from Studebaker Brewing Co., South Bend Brew Werks, Crooked Ewe, and Bare Hands Brewery.
Pottery Painting in the Brew Werks Beer Garden
5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
217 S. Michigan St.
The Pigeon & The Hen Pottery will have a table of pottery items outside their shop that you can paint in the physically-distanced seating area/beer garden in the street between their store and South Bend Brew Werks. Customers will be able to paint pottery, enjoy a beer, and eat food from Brew Werks or carry-out food from other downtown eateries. The seating areas are family-friendly, and pottery items will be available for both children and adults.
6:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
101 N. Michigan St.
Enjoy a fun and informative guided walking tour of South Bend landmark buildings, exploring their history and present day use.
The tours cover over twenty historical buildings and more than a half-dozen city blocks in the heart of downtown South Bend. Tours are $4 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.
Masks will be required and attendance will be limited to 25 people. Guests are asked to maintain physical distance during the tour as well.
Reception & Artist Talk at SBMA
5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
120 S. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Blvd.
The South Bend Museum of Art will be hosting a free, public reception for Rising Sound - a show of work that examines the lives of Black Americans living in a racially negligent society. A remote artist talk by Andrea Ellen Reed will be livestreamed via Zoom and Facebook Live into the gallery beginning at 6:30 p.m. until approximately 7:00 p.m. Visit the event page by clicking here for details on how to watch from home.
If you wish to attend this Zoom viewing in the Warner gallery, SBMA is offering a limited number of free tickets through Eventbrite. To comply with the State of Indiana and CDC safety recommendations for social distancing for COVID-19, all attendees and staff are required to wear masks/face coverings in all areas of the building.
Click here to reserve your free tickets:
9:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.
200 Block of South Michigan Street
The Drop Comedy Club will be presenting a free Comedy Showcase in the urban picnic seating area, on the north end of the 200 block of South Michigan Street. The content matter is best suited for mature audiences.
The lineup for the evening includes:
Maxwell Tidey
Coming from an area just as confused as the rest of us (Michigan + Indiana = “Michiana”), Max Tidey projects his unique perspectives on anyone who is willing to listen. Having aspirations of being an entertainer for as long as he could remember, Max made his way to the nearest comedy club once he was of age. In two short years Max became one of the house managers at The Drop Comedy Club, and found himself working with touring comics from all over the country every weekend. Max produces several shows in South Bend and surrounding areas. Bringing fresh technicality to his writing and charming energy to the stage, Max stands up to comedy by being himself in the best and worst of ways.
Dan West
Dan West is a veteran with a story to tell. After deployment injuries prematurely ended his time in the Army, Dan began travelling the country with a message of overcoming adversity through humor. Dan is a featured writer for the website Drinking With Paul, and has been seen at Gilda's Laughfest, Indiana Comic Con, and was a guest host for the 2010 MTV Disaster Tour. Dan loves kittens, whiskey, and long walks on the beach, provided that walk involves either kittens or whiskey.
Patrick Fowler
With his dark humor and dry wit, Patrick Fowler has been entertaining or boring audiences since 2011. His deadpan delivery and awkward stage manner makes him a favorite in people with low to medium self-esteem; focusing on topics such as life, death, and the void in between.
Based in Chicago, Patrick has performed in now-closed venues all over The Great Lakes region, is a regular at the Drop Comedy Club and was awarded one of the Best in the Fest at Mutiny Radio Comedy Festival 2017.
Jamie Shriner
Jamie Shriner is a Chicago-based comedian, writer, singer, and teaching artist. Shriner combines her sweet and soulful singing voice with her blunt point of view to comment on the way she experiences the world around her, leaving audiences laughing and humming catchy tunes. Credits include The Onion (Features Contributor), The Laugh Factory Chicago (Naughty Thoughts), Clearwater Comedy, The Drop, Milwaukee Comedy, and Wife Material (Creator)
Cam Cooper
Cameron Cooper is a stand up comedian from Fort Wayne, Indiana. He has been performing for seven years all around the midwest. Cam has opened for Ryan Niemiller from America's Got Talent and Ron Jeremy before the nonsense. Topics include real life and comic book knowledge.
Food & Drink Specials
Pet-Friendly Patios
Dine with your furry friend at one of these downtown pet-friendly patios:
4:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
105 E. Jefferson Blvd.
Chicory Cafe will be having another one of its famous shrimp boils this First Fridays! Each $17 order will receive gulf shrimp (boiled right in front of you), potatoes, corn on the cob, andouille sausage, and garlic butter. Enjoy it there or take it to go! Feel free to enjoy it at the physically-distanced seating area on the 200 block of S. Michigan Street. While supplies last.
Treats for Dogs and Humans at Edible Arrangements
3:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
123 S. Michigan St.
Edible Arrangements will have goodies available for both pets and humans! They will be handing out doggie treats and will have fresh water available, plus owners can enjoy $0.99 pineapple dog bone snacks (small pineapple pieces shaped like bones and dipped in chocolate), $2.99 strawberry/pineapple smoothies, and 1/2 priced dipped fruit boxes.
Dine with Your Dog at Lauber for Free Dessert
11:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m.
504 E. LaSalle Ave.
The Lauber invites you to dine with your dog on their pet-friendly patio. Any guest that brings their dog to their patio on First Fridays will get a free “mess in a bag” dessert: chocolate pudding with Oreo crumbles served in a dog waste bag placed in a Tito’s (vodka for dog people) cup. It will also be served with a bag of Scooby Snacks to use for dipping. Guests who dine with their dog will also get the chance to pick a piece of Tito’s swag out of their swag bag.
4:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
231 S. Michigan St.
Pink Lemonade Pastries is set to open in the former Dainty Maid space in the near future! Come get a preview this First Fridays at this sidewalk event in front of the building, where they will have treats for humans and pets.
5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
The Gridiron
Vegan Corner is back at Dog Days of Summer First Fridays for a third year! In keeping with the theme of animal love, vegan food vendor SteMartaen will be the featured culinary vendor at Vegan Corner.
Specials on Retail & Services
5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
217 S. Michigan St.
Bring your pup to The Pigeon & The Hen Pottery to celebrate Dog Days of Summer with a memorable dog paw print keepsake ornament with their name included. The ornament takes about five minutes to make by pressing the dog paw on the wet clay, and is then available to pick up three weeks later with a red ribbon. It's a forever memory personalized, painted and fired for only $10 per print. Humans participants are required to wear masks, and tickets must be purchased in advance by clicking here.
Dog Photo Contest at Ali on the Boulevard
10:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.
722 E. Jefferson
Ali on the Boulevard is holding their annual Dog Photo Contest, plus their shop is pet-friendly! To enter the 2020 Dog Photo Contest, add your dog's photo to this Facebook post with your dog's name in the comments. On Wednesday, September 2, they will share the whole album of doggy photos for your voting. To give a double vote, stop in to Ali on the Boulevard on Friday and vote. The winner will be announced on Saturday.
Friends of the Library Book Sale
12:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
333 S. Michigan St.
The Friends of the Library Book Sale is back open! Enjoy amazing bargains on books, CDs, DVDs, magazines, and more for both kids and adults from 12:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. To protect the community, the following safety measures will be in place:
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Masks will be required.
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Capacity is limited to ten people at a time, and their time will be limited to 30 minutes.
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Be prepared to wait outside.
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Hand sanitizer and wipes will be available to clean carts and baskets.
Plus...
123 N. St. Joseph St.
Buy one appetizer, get one 50% off.
713 E. Jefferson Blvd.
$4 pints every First Fridays; also featuring a First Saturdays special each month: any large 2 topping pizza, an order of breadsticks, and a pitcher of pop (or a 2 liter on carry out orders) for only $19.69 plus tax.
131 S. Michigan St.
Get one 14″ 1-topping pizza for $12
428 Lincoln Way West
Get one 18" 1-topping pizza for $15
105 E. Jefferson Blvd.
$1 cookies (while supplies last), and 16 oz. Hurricanes for $6
123 S. Michigan St.
50% off a box of dipped fruit (pick-up)
602 Lincoln Way East
20% off for new guests and 10% off all retail
1025 Northside Blvd.
20% off bottles of Henri & Madeleine
216 S. Michigan St.
New seasonal beer release
122 S. Michigan St.
2 for $20 any crunch/pretzel combo
620 W. Washington St.
1/2 price appetizers In the Studebaker Lounge
122 S. Michigan St.
50% off the entire store
SPONSORS
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