First Fridays fans, friends, and followers—the second annual Bexbach Bash is upcoming, and you DO NOT want to miss this exciting First Fridays event!
We’re packing even more into this September First Fridays celebration, as the River Bend Film Festival joins the Bexbach Bash with a FREE Family-Friendly Film Block at Goshen Theater on Friday, Sept. 4.
Beginning at 5:30 p.m., the free film block gives families another reason to enjoy the evening in Downtown Goshen, joining a Bexbach Bash lineup already filled with live music, puppetry, children’s activities, German food and drink, traditional games, shopping, dining, and First Fridays fun from 5 to 9 p.m.
The annual Bexbach Bash celebrates Goshen’s sister-city relationship with Bexbach, Germany, transforming downtown into a family-friendly First Fridays-style Oktoberfest. This year’s event features accordionist Esther Lanting, the Elkhart County Beer Choir, Steven’s Puppets performing Rumpelstiltskin, a stein-holding contest, costume contest, Hammerschlagen, the Well Crafted Artisan Showcase—presented by the Elkhart County CVB, food trucks, the Goshen Brewing Company Beer Garden, the Silver Circle for older adults, and activities for visitors of all ages.
Be there with family and friends to experience the fun, the festivity, and the films—and to celebrate our community while honoring our sister city in Bexbach, Germany!
RBFF Joins the Bash!
The River Bend Film Festival has been celebrating independent filmmaking for more than two decades. Founded in South Bend in 2002, the festival moved to Goshen in 2016 and has since become an annual downtown tradition, bringing filmmakers, audiences, and stories from around the world together in the historic Goshen Theater. This year’s festival runs Sept. 3–5 and features more than 100 independent films, filmmaker Q&As, special events, and acclaimed Indiana-born actor Doug Jones, known for The Shape of Water, Pan’s Labyrinth and Hellboy.
The Bexbach Bash Family-Friendly RBFF Film Block begins at 5:30 p.m. at Goshen Theater, 216 S. Main St., and is free to attend. The special screening brings another arts and cultural experience directly into the heart of First Fridays, giving families the opportunity to include independent film in an evening of downtown activities.
And when the free film block ends, Bexbach Bash—which brings the spirit of Oktoberfest to Downtown Goshen—will still be going strong outside. The Goshen Brewing Co. Beer Garden is open throughout the evening, serving German brews and beverages, while downtown restaurants and food vendors offer plenty of options for hungry visitors.
Maple City Market hosts an outdoor booth featuring local paletas and sparkling water, and September’s participating food trucks include Hay Huey, Kona Ice, Ojitos Lindos, Papa’s Dippin’ Donuts, Phabulous Phoenix Rolling Diner, Shirley’s Popcorn, Sweazy Q, Tropicana, and the Weiner Shack.
In-store, Maple City Market—at 314 S. Main—features Beer, Brat & Cheese soup prepared by Chef Steph, made with local bratwursts from Fischer Farms. The market also features beer specials highlighting fall and Oktoberfest beers.
Downtown restaurants and retailers participate with specials and promotions. Catitude Cafe, 210 S. Main St., celebrates its first anniversary with its regular First Fridays special: purchase one regular-priced cat lounge session between 5 and 9 p.m. and receive a second session of equal length for 50% off.
The Post Youth Center, 301 E. Lincoln, promotes its annual picnic fundraiser—the Kick Off For Kids—which takes place on Sept. 26, and Fables Books, 215 S. Main, presents a Meet the Authors event from 6 to 8 p.m.
Limitless fun for EVERYONE
Bexbach Bash is designed for all ages, with activities and entartainment throughout downtown for children, teens, adults and older residents.
The Chill Zone—presented by DJ Construction and the Boys and Girls Club of Elkhart County—provides games and snacks for young adults and gives a free pretzel from JoJo’s Pretzels to the first 50 participants; free crafts and other family activities are available throughout the event; LoveWay offers a chance for young ones to meet a miniature pony; and Janus Motorcycles presents the classic game Hammerschlagen at its booth near the Beer Garden.
The Cardonas Mechanical Bull gives revelers a chance to test their riding skills, and Wish and Wonders presents face-painting for the young and young at heart.
The First Fridays Silver Circle, presented in part by Greencroft, Green Oaks of Goshen, Goshen Health, and Senior Talk Michiana, provides older adults with a comfortable, inclusive place to gather, connect and enjoy the evening. Handicap parking is available directly behind the Silver Circle on West Washington. Senior transportation services may also use the space with advance notice; organizations bringing senior clients are encouraged to contact Downtown Goshen, Inc. in advance.
A FULL evening of LIVE entertainment!
The evening’s entertainment lineup includes Vinyl Habits at The Fold; Octuba-fest at Art Alley; Accordionist Esther Lanting on the Main Stage; a Main Stage costume contest AND a traditional Stein-Holding Contest in the Beer Garden.
The full Bexbach Bash Entertainment Lineup:
- 5-9 p.m. — Vinyl Habits | The Fold alleyway (219 S Main)
- 5-8 p.m. — Octuba-fest | Art Alley
- 5:30 p.m. — Esther Lanting (Accordion) | Main Stage
- 5:30 p.m. — Family-Friendly Film Block at River Bend Film Festival (FREE) | Goshen Theater (216 S. Main)
- 5:45 p.m. — Steven’s Puppets/Rumpelstiltskin | (Jefferson and Main)
- 6:00 p.m. — Costume Contest | Main Stage
- 6:30 p.m. — Elkhart County Beer Choir | Main Stage
- 6:30 p.m. — Steven’s Puppets/Rumpelstiltskin | (Jefferson and Main)
- 7:00 p.m. — Steven’s Puppets/Rumpelstiltskin | (Jefferson and Main)
- 7:00 p.m. — Stein-Holding Contest | Beer Garden
- 7:30 p.m. — Esther Lanting | Main Stage
- 7:45 p.m. — Steven’s Puppets/Rumpelstiltskin | (Jefferson and Main)
The First Fridays Bexbach Bash also offers amenities including the Goshen Health Mother’s Tent, offering a comfortable place to nurse and change the littles; Handicap Parking behind the Silver Circle; a Recycling Center on festival grounds to keep Goshen clean; and a complimentary Bike Valet—presented by the Pumpkinvine Trails Coalition—for those who prefer to arrive on their bikes.
See the full schedule of events, booths, and participants at the September First Fridays landing page!
