DOG DAYS OF SUMMER
Presented by Fetch! Pet Care
September 1, 2023
5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
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About
For September First Fridays bring your beloved doggo downtown for "Dog Days of Summer!" We'll have special activities for both pets and people with games on the gridiron, a block party with food trucks and vendors on Michigan St. along with live music!
We will be closing the 100 of S. Michigan for a block party with dining in the street, a free concert by The Erly, a beer garden, face painters, balloon artist, caricaturist, vendors, a Studebaker Car Show, 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!
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ROAD CLOSURES
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Michigan Street between Washington and Jefferson: 1:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m.
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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 and Activities
Dog Days of Summer Booths
100 Block of S. Michigan St. & The Gridiron
5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
Several animal rescue groups and organizations who provide goods & services to animals will be located in the 100 block of S. Michigan Street and at the Gridiron.
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Age Made
All 4 Animals
Bailey & Friends
Bittersweet Pet Resorts
Canine Body and Mind
Dog Elite Training
Fetch! Pet Care
Love Chewy
Ookami Draws Paws
Pet Refuge
PetsConnect! Inc
Reigning Cat and Dogs Rescue
Resale to the Rescue, Inc.
Sheltie Rescue of Central Indiana
South Bend Lost and Found Pets
Sudzy Puppy Grooming Salon
The Humane Society of St. Joseph County
Photo Booth & Doggy Obstacle Course with Fetch! Pet Care
The Gridiron
5:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
First Fridays sponsor Fetch! Pet Care! is the presenting sponsor for Dog Days of Summer! Visit the Fetch! Pet Care tent at the Gridiron to pick up some free pet swag and talk with their highly-trained and certified sitters. And while you're there, take your dog through their doggy obstacle course and photo booth!
Fetch! Pet Care of Michiana is a locally-owned full-service pet care provider for all your furry, feathered, and scaled friends. Their goal is to make it as easy as possible for you to schedule and receive pet care.
They offer a variety of services, all tailored to fit your needs. From in-home pet sitting to dog walking, overnight care, medication administration, and pet taxi services, they have you covered. They understand that each pet is unique and requires special attention, so they take the time to get to know each pet and build a relationship with them and you.
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 4th 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 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 free entertainment.
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For the August First Fridays, the entertainment will be a free concert by The Erly from 6:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
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Studebaker Plaza
5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
The TMV (The Music Village) Jammers will be doing a free performance at Studebaker Plaza from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
Howard Park
7:00 pm. to 9:00 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 September 1 band will be Motown Machine.
435 S. Michigan St.
7:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m.
After Ours returns for a hometown performance for the vinyl release party for "Music For Cats" at The Rocki Button & they're bringing friends! Chuck Fry, NSGTS, & ECSO performing plus works by Terrible Tony, Jeff Nawrocki, & Tony Melser & some special prints by Jacob Garvin who did the album cover! $5 cover; all ages event.
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This event will also be your last chance to grab a (Y)ART wristband for $5 off before the festival kicks off on 9/3!
401 E. Colfax Ave.
7:30 pm. to 9:30 p.m.
Guitarists Chris Bober and Alex Anest will perform their original music in a duo setting at Merrimen’s Playhouse this First Fridays. Tickets are 10 General/$5 Student.
127 N. Main St.
8:00 pm. to 11:00 p.m.
Enjoy live music by Kennedy's Kitchen this First Fridays!
Additional September First Fridays Vendors
100 Block of S. Michigan St. & The Gridiron
5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
Amy Feil
BluEnvy
Caricaturist Dave Blodgett
Cat Lady Café
City of South Bend
Denson Specialties
Fun by the Yard
HardNorth & Company
Healthy U Rx
Heavenly Sent Sea Moss
IU South Bend Office of Admissions
Joyería Nice&Bella by Elena Barriga
Kolours Designed For Divas, LLC
Laconic Blu
Michiana Alliance for Democracy (MAD)
Michiana Stormwater Partnership
Mixxture Company
Notre Dame College of Science
Premier dreamers
Raclin Murphy Museum of Art
Salon Nouveau
SJCPL
Smith’s Avenue
Tasty Peach INC
TeJe Flowers and Gifts
Jon Hunt Plaza
5:00 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.
The Tennessee State Marching Band will be giving a free community performance at Jon Hunt Plaza this First Fridays, as part of a community-wide pep rally with a live DJ, local dance teams, the TSU cheerleaders, and a scholarship presentation. Bring the whole family! The TSU Marching Band is the only Grammy-Award winning Collegiate Marching Band in the Country. You are in for a treat!
This performance is part of the historic HBCU Exchange weekend.
Studebaker Plaza
8:30 p.m. to 10:30 p.m.
South Bend Latin Dance is returning to Studebaker Plaza for the summer for their First Fridays Latin Dance Parties. This event is open to all ages and skill levels, and includes a half-hour lesson at 8:30 p.m., followed by open dancing until 10:30 p.m. $5 cover.
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South Bend Latin Dance will also be having a First Fridays dance earlier in the evening - DJ Sir Oliver's Open House - at 107 W. Monroe St., upstairs studio, from 5:30 to 8:00 p.m. This free event will also have some free snacks and great vinyl salsa jams.
Key Bank Plaza
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 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.
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.
120 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.
5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
The South Bend NEA Big Read Grant project is a collaboration between the St. Joseph County Public Library and the South Bend Museum of Art. From 2023-2024, the SJCPL and SBMA will present a series of art exhibitions, presentations, ceremonies, performances, and book discussions that highlight the multiplicity of stories, experiences, and identities of the Potawatomi Communities in the Michiana region.
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The September First Fridays program begins at 6:00 p.m. with a Water Ceremony by Pokagon Elders, followed by a Gallery Talk with artist Jason Wesaw about his exhibition “On the Banks, Above” currently on display in The Art League Gallery. Free copies of “There, There” by Tommy Orange will also be available (while supplies last).
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This event is FREE and open to the public! Pick up a flyer with all the NEA Big Read Grant at the Launch Event too!
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.)
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. Live @ Aloft features local artists, groups or DJs playing music every Friday from 8:00 to 10:00 p.m. in the WXYZ lounge.
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The WXYZ bar also has "Cocktails for a Cause" with $1 from every cocktail for a cause sold donated to their featured charity of the month. Also take advantage of their First Fridays special - buy 1 flatbread pizza and get a 2nd flatbread pizza at 1/2 off.
Retail and Dining Specials
NOTE: First Fridays drink specials are available for anyone 21+ throughout the day on First Fridays, for the operating hours of participating businesses.
Pet-Friendly Patios
Various locations
Dine with your furry friend at one of these 21 downtown pet-friendly patios:
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121 S. Niles Ave.
5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
We welcome one of our newest First Fridays participants - Scrappy's Lemon Twist! They recently opened inside the Emporium Building and will be offering 10% off their lemonades this First Fridays. They will also have special extended hours until 7:00 p.m. !
121 S. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., Blvd.
5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
We welcome one of our newest First Fridays participants - the Courtyard by Marriott! They will be offering 15% off of bistro bills to guests in 80's attire this First Fridays.This discount will apply to the full bill for food and drinks. They will also be featuring an 80's themed drink.
50% off September Specialty Drinks at St. Joe Coffee Co.
305 S. Michigan St.
8:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
The St. Joe Coffee Co. - the coffee shop located inside the St. Joe County Library's Community Learning Center - will be featuring 50% off their September specialty drinks: the Pistachio Honey Latte with pistachio syrup and honey from Unity Gardens; and the Apple Crisp Latte with caramel apple butter syrup and toffee nut syrup topped with crushed graham cracker and caramel drizzle.
401 E. Colfax Ave. Suite 104
6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
The Cat Lady Cafe will be featuring $6 Walk-in visits this First Fridays from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., and will also have a booth in front of The Pigeon & The Hen Pottery.
321 S. Main St.
5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
South Bend Brew Werks will have special dog treats available made from their spent grain from the brewery. These will be free to all four-legged friends!
231 S. Michigan St.
5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
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 and a half weeks later with a red ribbon. It's a forever memory personalized, painted and fired for only $20 per print. This activity will take place in front of their store. The Cat Lady Cafe will also have a booth in front of The Pigeon & The Hen Pottery this First Fridays!
September First Fridays Food Vendors
100 block of S. Michigan St. & Gridiron
5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
The following food and beverage vendors will be at the September First Fridays:
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615 Soul Food
AngLes on Wheels
Chicory Bar
Dena’s Kitchen & Catering LLC
Dixon's Specialty Popcorn
El llanito #2
Fancy Delights
Fitzgerald’s Smokehouse BBQ
Kona Ice
Ko-s port-a-pit
L’s BBQ
Southern Aroma
Sprinkle Express
Travelin' Tom's Coffee
231 S. Michigan St.
5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
Welcome to one of our newest First Fridays participants - Dainty Maid Co. Food Hall! They will have special extended hours for dinner on weekend nights including First Fridays, with dining options from Oak + Ash, The Beard & The Boss, Smashed, Propaganda Pizza, Hall Pass, and a Roaster Called Revenant.
321 S. Main St.
5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Welcome to one of our newest First Fridays participant - Salon Nouveau - located in side the Hibberd Building across from the library in downtown. They will be offering special discounts this First Fridays at their booth on the Gridiron.
Ongoing First Fridays Promotions
SPONSORS
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