Happy First Day of Spring, South Benders!

Happy Thursday! This newsletter is for the newbies, the lifers, the townies, and the domers.

In today’s digest:

• Community Dinners

• Dance With Plants

• Curated Events

• The Hottest Wings in SB

A Note from Alayna: Happy First (official) day of spring! The week ahead looks like rain, snow, cold weather, and basically anything except spring warmth — but hey! At least winter is over!

This issue is 1,081 words, a 4-minute read.

The Digest

St. Pat’s Parade Is THIS Saturday! 🇮🇪 ☘️ (Rescheduled from last week due to high winds)

The 25th Annual St. Patrick's Parade kicks off at 11 am March 22 on Jefferson Boulevard in the East Bank Village, promising green everything, festive music, and what promises to be an all-around good time.

Immediately following, catch the Greening of the East Race and visit the Teeling Irish Whiskey Parade Patio at The Hammer & Quill.

Need parade route details? Click here.

Parking information? Click here.

Public Input Needed: New St. Joseph County Park

St. Joseph County is preparing to add a new park to its portfolio. Before they begin the work, they want to know what the community values in their parks. That’s where you come in!

So make it a family affair and let kids and adults in your households inform the future of a new park!

How can you provide input:

• Open houses: March 18, April 24, and May 29 from 6 - 8 pm at Discovery Middle School.

• Online Survey: Here 

What’s your favorite thing to do at the park? Respond to this email!

Want to read all the details? Click Here

Community Meals: Grab One Before They’re Gone!

Enjoy a variety of different meals at all these pop-ups this week:

• Thursday Burger Night: 4 - 8 PM. March 20, Galien American Legion Post 344, 402 N. Cleveland Ave.

• Lenten Fish Fry: 3:30-6:30 pm, March 21, 63568 Old U.S. 31 S South Bend.

• Fish Fry: 4 - 7 pm, 735 W Calvert South Bend. Carryout available.

• Fish, Chicken, or Shrimp Fry: 4:30 - 7 pm Ryan A. Balmer American Legion Post 161, 133 E Mishawaka Ave., Mishawaka.

More options at this link

The Happenings

Curated picks 📆 

🪩 South Bend Latin Dance Among the Plants

The South Bend Conservatory is joining forces with South Bend Latin Dance on Saturday to bring you an unforgettable night of salsa, bachata, cumbia, and much more in the warmth of the conservatory.

Tickets are $10 at the door, but conservatory members can bring 1 free guest. All proceeds go to support the conservatory.

Doors open at 7:30, with open dancing starting at 8 pm.

This is an all-ages event, so bring a friend or family member, bring cash for the cash-only bar, and bring your dancing shoes.

Check out all the Details.

🎳 Something for the Girls: Bowling Night!

South Bend Girls Group is hosting a bowling event at Chippewa Bowl on Tuesday, March 25th!

The Details: “Join for a night of fun and bowling at Chippewa Bowl on Tuesday, March 25th from 7-9 pm! There is nothing you need to do beforehand other than letting us know you’re coming.

RSVP form in bio!

Hope to bowl our hearts out with you ❤️🎳”

You can always see what they’re up to through their Instagram page: @Southbendgirlsgroup

Bio Link

More events

A mix of things happening this weekend and into next week!

🧠 Brain Awareness Fair: Get ready to explore the brain in a fun and interactive way at the Annual Brain Awareness Fair. Check out the Details.

🎳 Connect 574 Bowling Competition: Join Connect 574 for a fun Bowling Night on March 21, 2025, at Generations Adventureplex in Mishawaka! Don't miss out on the fun—grab your tickets today! Tickets

🏀 March Madness Watch Party: Take a break from the office and connect with fellow downtown workers at Gibson to watch some March Madness. Tickets

🃏Euchre Tournament: A classic Midwest card game makes its way to Iron Hand this Thursday evening, 6-8 pm. Email [email protected] to sign up. Not interested in complicated and competitive card games? Happy hour is 4-7 pm!

🎤 Nathalie Joachim at Debartolo: Check out what is sure to be an incredible performance from this Brooklyn-born musician. Details

✨Coming soon✨

If you’re like me and love planning ahead, mark your calendar for these events after March 12th!

🎶 Record Show coming to the Gillespie Center: Mark your calendar for April 7th! Details.

🚙 South Bend Auto Show: Car fan? Then this is the place to be on March 29th. $10 cover. Details

🎭 Remember Flat Stanley? Well, now your kids can enjoy him too at the South Bend Civic Theatre musical on March 28, 29, April 4, 5. Tickets

🎟️ IUSB Career Fair: Open to students, community members, and alumni! Looking for a new opportunity? Check this out on Wednesday, April 2nd. Details

🐣 Adult Easter Egg Hunt: Check out this fun, 21+ Easter egg hunt. You can register and participate in the egg hunt or join in the music and vibes for free! Tickets

Rapid Fire Hits

Quick headlines and things to know from all around 🌐

🏀 What’s the best town in Indiana? Follow along with the Small Town Showdown Bracket and vote daily to determine which Indiana town wins! (Get Indiana)

Do you think you’ve found the hottest wings in the area?: Think again. This man says he found the hottest near South Bend, just over the state line at Jay’s lounge. (Reddit)

Apartment construction by Trader Joe’s ready for pre-leasing: If you or someone you know is looking for an apartment within walking distance of downtown and campus, look no further than the 5corners apartments. (Details)

LaQuisha Jackson starts local culinary school: The owner of Soulful Kitchen is launching a new culinary school for high school students in underserved communities to graduate with skills and certifications to launch their careers in the culinary world. (Details)

Notre Dame announces commencement speaker: Admr. Christopher Grady (1984 graduate) will speak at this year’s graduation. (Details)

Spring has arrived, and potholes (on the SE side) are done for: This is definitely the most important thing to know this week (if you live on the southeast side—sorry to everyone else. Maybe next year?) (Details)

Happy Thursday! See you around the Bend!

Congrats! You made it to the end of the newsletter! I don’t have a prize I can hand out, but! Send me an email telling me about your favorite event this week!

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