5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.

123 N. Hill St.

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Purple Porch Co-op Oktoberfest Celebration South Bend Brew Werks 'sis back for a fourth year! This annual celebration of autumn will have local German food, local beer by, and Polka Music by the Will Smaka Band. This a family-friendly event and open to all, with no cover charge. The menu will include brats, kraut, German potato salad, and apple kuchen.

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5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.

122 S. Michigan St.

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The first 200 visitors to the South Bend Chocolate Cafe this First Fridays will receive a free pumpkin to carve, with the donation of a non-perishable food donation or $1 to the Food Bank of Northern Indiana. 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 check out free live music by Laura Whidden from 5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m., try out their fall beverage specials, and take advantage of their First Fridays special: 2 for $20 any crunch/pretzel combo. Ben's Pretzels (located inside the Chocolate Cafe) will also be offering a First Fridays special: 3 pretzels for $10 (not including sauce.)

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Horse-drawn Haywagon Rides

6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.

by Purple Porch

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Get in the fall spirit by taking a horse-drawn hay wagon ride from Dream Coach Carriages. These 15-minute rides through the East Bank Village are just $3 per person, excluding infants. Children must be accompanied by an adult. Pick up and drop off takes place right outside Purple Porch Co-op, and tickets go on sale shortly before 6:00 p.m. Don’t forget your camera! Stay up to date on all horse-drawn events by liking Dream Coach Carriages on Facebook.

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Studebaker Plaza

2:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.

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Over the Edge Youth Service Bureau Click here is a fundraiser forin 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.

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Come out and watch these "Edgers" scale down the building. DTSB"s very own Milt Lee and Kylie Carter will be among those rappelling. There will be live music by the Justin Staublin Band from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., a kids' area, and lots of fun things to do. A viewing area will also be set in Key Bank Plaza with a beer garden and German food from Weiss' Gasthaus to donate.Come out and watch these "Edgers" scale down the building. DTSB"s very own Milt Lee and Kylie Carter will be among those rappelling. There will be live music by the Justin Staublin Band from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., a kids' area, and lots of fun things to do. A viewing area will also be set in Key Bank Plaza with a beer garden and German food from

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Guided Walking Tour of Historic West Washington District - SOLD OUT

6:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.

302 W. Washington St.

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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As a special treat, we will be going inside one of the renovated units at the new South Bend Heritage Gemini Apartments and gaining some information on the rehabilitation process for that project.

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Tours are given by the Historic Preservation Commission of South Bend & St. Joseph County. Cost for these 90-minute tours are just $4/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.) This will be the last tour for 2019.

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UPDATE - THE OCTOBER TOUR IS SOLD OUT

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Artist Mixer at South Bend Museum of Art

5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.

120 S. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.

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The South Bend Museum of Art's Artist Mixer is BYOB - Bring Your Own Beamer. BYOB is a series of one-night exhibitions curated by different people around the world. The first BYOB was organized by Anne de Vries & Rafaël Rozendaal in Berlin in 2010.

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Enjoy special music, art, and a dance performance. From 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m., Eli Kahn & Krista Hoefle will bring a music and visual art performance with a special light installation by Giiivens and a live dance composition performed by New Industry Dance.

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Artists are also invited to bring their own projector and project their artwork in the Warner Gallery. There will also be an art exchange, and the 2019 SBMA ArtSlam! competition artworks will be unveiled. For full details, click here.

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5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.

Studebaker Plaza

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We still have some finishing touches to put on the 2019 Art Beat Community Art Project, so we're bringing it to the Over the Edge event at Studebaker Plaza this First Fridays for the public to help us complete it.The project features artwork designed on inflatable sky dancers using fabric markers. The completed projects will be brought to sky dance at future DTSB events. Come add your creative touch! It's free to participate in, and is open to all ages and skill levels.

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Free Vision Screenings

5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.

By Studebaker Plaza

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Boling Vision Center will be providing FREE vision screenings for all on their mobile vision clinic! No insurance required! They will be parked on Jefferson by Studebaker Plaza

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6:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.

105 E. Jefferson Blvd. (located on Michigan, by Jimmy Johns)

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Spirited info@spiritedsouthbend.com to reserve your spot today. $50/per person donation to YSB and class cost. Jointhis First Fridays for the Courageous Spirit Party supporting YSB and Over the Edge to end youth homelessness. Learn how to make one of a kind mixed drinks all while supporting a great cause! Space is limited; emailto reserve your spot today. $50/per person donation to YSB and class cost.

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Paul Decker at LaSalle Kitchen & Tavern

9:00 p.m. to Midnight

115 W. Colfax Ave.

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Enjoy a free performance by Paul Decker at LaSalle Kitchen & Tavern.

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9:00 p.m. to midnight

127 N. Main St.



Enjoy free live music at Fiddler’s Hearth by local Irish band Kennedy’s Kitchen from 9:00 p.m. to midnight every First Fridays!

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Elephant Rescue at Vegetable Buddies

9:00 p.m. to midnight

129 N. Michigan St.

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Vegetable Buddies is excited to welcome back Elephant Rescue: a very unique band that brings a taste of New Orleans, Chicago and everything in between. This event will also be a birthday bash for Dave Dale, and a fundraiser for musicians healthcare. Come on out and party and also support a great cause! Doors open at 5:00 p.m. $10 cover, 21+ or with an adult.

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Live Music at Chicory Cafe

8:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m.

105 E. Jefferson Blvd.

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Chris Robison will be performing a free concert at Chicory Cafe from 8:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m. Also take advantage of their First Friday specials: 5 oz. gelato cup for $3, and 16 oz. Hurricanes for $5.

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Idle Hours Author Signing

4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.

212 S. Michigan St.

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Meet Author David Kobb and get your book signed! Plus, purchase one of his three terrifying novels for children: Terrifying Tales, More Terrifying Tales, and Even More Terrifying Tales. Don't be scared there will be snacks.

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5:00 pm to 8:00 pm

120 W. LaSalle Ave.



The Hoffman Hotel will offer free tours of their renovated historic apartment spaces and free refreshments. The tours will be given every half hour (5:00, 5:30, 6:00, etc.)

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Tour the Golden Roamer: Mobile Visitor Center

4:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.

Studebaker Plaza



The Golden Roamer is a 24-foot recreational vehicle complete with brochures for visitors detailing the area’s offerings as well as satellite TV, and more. It will be parked near Studebaker Plaza and you are invited to go inside and explore.