Bringing the best to The Bend
Ever have that weekend when you couldn't park in your usual spot because of all these cars from different states?
Maybe at the same time you saw a bunch of youth teams, flying pucks, soccer balls, batons or even juggling. That's us.
As the staff of Visit South Bend Mishawaka, part of the South Bend Regional Chamber of Commerce, we promote events, bid on conventions and meetings, and attract visitors to St. Joseph County to experience all we have to offer. Last year, we welcomed more than 5,200,000 visitors who spent $1.2 billion!
A recent and unique example of what we do was on full display for a week in July throughout South Bend.
After a competitive bid process in 2019 that pitted us against many other cities around the country, more than 650 jugglers from across the globe came to South Bend for the 76th International Jugglers' Festival.
The jugglers graced the stage at the Morris Performing Arts Center and held late evening performances in the Palais Royale. They hosted public demonstrations at Fridays by the Fountain and in the library. They even competed in jolleyball, a combination of volleyball and juggling.
Event organizers thanked us, saying they experienced a ”warm, welcoming hospitality from everyone they met” and hope to return potentially in 2028.
It's hard to believe, but ice hockey season is right around the corner. Youth hockey, other than Notre Dame athletics, is the largest driver of sports tourism in our region. It accounts for more than 13,000 overnight hotel stays and $24 million of economic impact.
Youth hockey is doubly important in that most of the competitions take place from October to March when our general visitation is far less. Last year, kids from 17 states played at the Compton Family Ice Arena and the Ice Box Skating Rink.
Our research shows more than 53% of visitors to the county come because of Notre Dame. Yet we have so many other attractions — Ironworks Plaza, Howard Park, Potawatomi Zoo, Newton Park, St. Patrick's County Park and more — that make our visitors' experiences even better.
We are excited to welcome two new attractions next year: The Indiana Dinosaur Museum and Mishawaka Fieldhouse. These facilities will be incredible additions to our county and will provide not-to-miss experiences. There are also planned improvements at the Ice Box and Indiana Invaders Athletic Complex.
Generally, visitors coming to expe
rience the area live within a one-tankgetaway radius and most come from Chicago and Indianapolis. While learning of our area from our robust marketing efforts, they stay at one of our 54 hotels that offer more than 5,400 rooms.
Even more, St. Joseph County has more than 1,300 private homes that are available on platforms like VRBO and Airbnb. We expect more than 1 million room nights stayed by visitors in our hotels and nearly 100,000 at private residences this year.
The resulting impact of these visits provides funding to help operate Potawatomi Zoo, Mishawaka Fieldhouse, Morris Performing Arts Center, Century Center and our operation at Visit South Bend Mishawaka. The proceeds also go toward the tourism capital investment fund, which is dedicated to investing in hospitality product throughout St. Joseph County.
Once a month, on the fourth Sunday, we will use this column to share some of the exciting events and experiences for both visitors and residents alike. From Walkerton to Osceola, Lakeville to Roseland, New Carlisle, Mishawaka and South Bend, there's so much to see and even more to do!
Visit South Bend Mishawaka is here to help tell our story, highlight the incredible experiences and bring the best to The Bend. Here are a few highlights of events in The Bend. To see more, visit us at visitsouthbend.com.
● Sept. 2: Notre Dame Football vs. Tennessee State
● Sept. 16: Notre Dame Football vs. Central Michigan
● Sept. 23: Notre Dame Football vs. Ohio State
● Sept. 27: Oktoberfest – Purple Porch – South Bend
● Sept. 29: Glow Rave & Run – Central Park – Mishawaka
● Sept. 29, 30 and Oct. 1: Falloween Fest – Walkerton