First Fridays celebrates Goshen’s sister-city connection with Bexbach, Germany, with the Bexbach Bash on Friday, September 4, from 5 to 9 p.m. The family-friendly celebration transforms downtown into a festive First Fridays-style Oktoberfest, featuring live music, traditional games, German food and drink, children’s activities, shopping and dining promotions, and plenty of opportunities to celebrate culture and community.
Bexbach Bash features live polka and additional entertainment, traditional German games, a stein-holding contest, Hammerschlagen, a costume contest, German brews from the Goshen Brewing Company Beer Garden, the Well Crafted Artisan Showcase—presented by the Elkhart County CVB—and a wide selection of food and drinks throughout downtown. Families can enjoy free crafts and activities, while the Chill Zone offers games and snacks for kids and young adults.
The Elkhart County Beer Choir performs at 6:30 p.m. on the Main Stage, while Steven’s Puppets presents Rumpelstiltskin at 5:45, 6:30, 7 and 7:45 p.m. at the Family Stage, giving families another reason to make downtown their destination for the evening. The evening also includes Main Stage performances—at 5:30 and 7:30 p.m.—by accordionist Esther Lanting, and a special celebration at the Silver Circle, a welcoming gathering space for older adults implemented this year by First Fridays.
Don’t miss out on this unique community celebration. Join us for the second annual Bexbach Bash!
Bring an appetite for food, drinks, promotions, and deals!
The Goshen Brewing Co. Beer Garden is open throughout the evening, serving German brews and beverages, 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 Goshen’s Designated Outdoor Refreshment Area (DORA) will also be in effect, allowing adults age 21 and older to purchase beverages from participating businesses and enjoy them outdoors within clearly marked downtown boundaries. The program helps support local businesses while adding another way for visitors to experience downtown Goshen’s restaurants, shops and First Fridays activities. Revelers are asked to follow all laws and boundaries, and DRINK RESPONSIBLY!
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!
