News Release

GOSHEN — Downtown Goshen, Inc., with its First Fridays Savor Summer Showcase, gives First Friday fans all throughout the region a good excuse to hold off on packing away all those shorts, sandals, and t-shirts. The Savor Summer Showcase, this Friday, Sept. 6, from 5-9 p.m., is a celebration of all the fun offerings summer still has left in its proverbial tank.

Knowing it may well be one of the last chances for revelers to gather and celebrate under the sun, Downtown Goshen Inc. presents a little bit of everything at this family-friendly ‘sayonara to summertime’ event. The streets of Downtown Goshen come alive with music and entertainment, kids’ activities and adventures, and downtown shopping action. An exciting summer-to-fall Fashion Show features cool trends supplied by downtown apparel outfitters—including Woldruff’s and I M SHE —and the festival’s eating and drinking options deliver a dazzling and delicious taste of late summer.

“Once we get into the later, colder months, the program starts to change somewhat,” said Director of First Fridays, Amanda Rose. “September, though, is usually still warm and mild, and the Savor Summer Showcase is a great chance to enjoy one last summertime hurrah with friends and family. This is the second year for the Savor Summer Showcase. Since our August First Fridays Picklefest event was limited by rainy conditions, some promotions from that event will carry over into September. That said, we’re expecting a large and energetic crowd for the Savor Summer Showcase. We are continually thankful to our many sponsors and Downtown Goshen businesses for helping us bring these free community events to life.”

Participating downtown eating and drinking establishments reward festival goers with delicious summertime specials. Food vendors and food trucks—including Golden Star Kettle Corn, Hay Huey, Kona Ice of Goshen, and Tropicana—serve up tasty tacos, ice cream, and various hot and cold treats from around the world. The First Fridays Beer Garden, presented by Elephant Bar, is on-hand with the best craft brews and beverages. The Window, 223 S. Main St., serves a delicious Italian meal from 4:30-7:30 p.m., and El Imperial, 113 S. Main, features authentic street food throughout the evening.

Activities for kids include face painting, arts and crafts, and in-store events at participating downtown businesses. The Chill Zone, presented by DJ Construction and the Boys and Girls Club of Elkhart County, offers virtual reality, snacks, and lawn games to entertain teens, young adults, and the young at heart. The Viewrail Dunk Tank provides a fun and thrilling way to raise crucial funds for Ryan’s Place, a Goshen social services organization.

Goshen Health’s innovative and fun Emoji Puzzle Challenge presents eight puzzle banners scattered throughout the event. Players can find and solve the puzzles, scan the QR code on the banner, and submit their answers to win fun prizes. Fables Books offers a Create Your Own Bookmark event for kids from 5-7 p.m., and a Meet the Authors event for a general audience from 6-8. Hive of Light, 119 S. Main, features magic and balloon animals from 5 to 7 p.m., and—starting at 7—presents a full magic show with Magician Kevin Long in the Art Alley.

Ben Wilson and the Messengers headline the Miller Poultry Main Stage, and Downtown Goshen businesses offer Labor Day sales and specials while highlighting fall merchandise and seasonal releases. Businesses including Cressy & Everett, The MAC, Art House, Symasis, Braly’s Barber Den, The Post, and ADEC are on-site on the festival grounds to provide information and services.

Revelers can also stop by Woldruff’s Liverpool Try-On event and enter to win a free pair of Liverpool jeans, and can enjoy live music and a wine tasting at Maple City Market. The Goshen City Church of the Brethren hosts the Evergreen Singers for a concert from 5:30-7:30 p.m., and a downtown Off Road Vehicle display presents fun for all ages.

Find full event details for September First Fridays here.