South Bend Dyngus Day
The Political Dyngus Day
About
South Bend's Dyngus Day is uniquely political — since 1930, the West Side Democratic & Civic Club has hosted celebrations that serve as the unofficial kickoff to Indiana's campaign season. Bobby Kennedy campaigned here in 1968, the Clintons visited in 2008, and Pete Buttigieg was a regular. It's ground zero for kielbasa, polka, and politics.
Official site: visitsouthbend.com/events/annual-events/dyngus-day
Highlights
- •West Side Democratic & Civic Club — the political heart of South Bend's Dyngus Day since 1930. Candidates traditionally address the crowd late morning; free entry and a Polish buffet.
- •Crumstown Conservation Club — Doors at 7 AM! Tony Blazonczyk's New Phaze has played 9 AM – 1 PM in recent years. $10 admission.
- •Hear from Indiana Democratic Party leaders and candidates — South Bend's Dyngus Day is the unofficial kickoff to the state's campaign season
- •Hedwig Memorial Center — Polish food 12–6 PM, DynaVersaStickToneAires live entertainment
- •South Bend Firefighters Local 362 — Doors at 10 AM, buffet at 10:30 AM, Blammo performs 6–10 PM
- •Also celebrates Solidarity Day — streets temporarily renamed in honor of the celebration
- •Notre Dame students add a young crowd to this multi-generational tradition
Venues
West Side Democratic & Civic Club
617 S. Warren St., South Bend
Opens: 10 AM
The political heart of Dyngus Day since 1930. Candidates address the crowd late morning. Free entry, traditional Polish buffet. (In 2026 the club met temporarily at M.R. Falcons — confirm the current-year location.)
Crumstown Conservation Club
59440 Crumstown Hwy, North Liberty
Opens: 7 AM
Die-hard start. $10 admission. Tony Blazonczyk's New Phaze 9 AM – 1 PM. Food while supplies last.
Hedwig Memorial Center
331 S. Scott St., South Bend
Opens: 12–6 PM
Replaced Z.B. Falcons (2025). DynaVersaStickToneAires live. Cash bar. Polish food.
South Bend Firefighters Local 362
4025 Lincolnway W., South Bend
Opens: 10 AM
Buffet at 10:30 AM. Blammo performs 6–10 PM.
American Legion Post 357
5414 W. Sample St., South Bend
Opens: Noon
This End Up performs 2–6 PM. Sausage, pierogis, dancing. $5 cover.
American Legion Post 297
486 E. Michigan St., New Carlisle
Opens: 5 PM
Polish dinner 5–7:30 PM. $15/plate.
DeAmicis Italian Club
302 W. 11th St., Mishawaka
Opens: 11:30 AM
Polish food from noon until gone. Raffles, tip boards, 50/50.
DiLoreto Club
914 Division St., Mishawaka
Opens: 4–9 PM
Evening celebration with food and drinks.
Political History
Bobby Kennedy, 1968 — Came to South Bend's Dyngus Day for the Indiana primary. Greeted people in Polish, sang 'Sto Lat,' brought his brother-in-law Prince Stanislaw Radziwill (a genuine Polish prince from the royal House of Radziwill). Over 6,000 packed the courthouse; 1,500 crammed inside the West Side Democratic Club. Kennedy carried Polish precincts with over 60% of the vote.
Bill & Chelsea Clinton, 2008 — Campaigned for Hillary at Dyngus Day during the Democratic primary.
Pete Buttigieg, 2010s–2019 — As South Bend's mayor, a fixture at Dyngus Day. Participated in the 5 AM sausage prep. His April 2019 presidential campaign announcement was timed near Dyngus Day season.
The Pattern — By the 1950s, Dyngus Day had evolved into a major political event. Since Indiana's primary falls in early May, Dyngus Day in April is the natural campaign kickoff. Politicians of both parties now attend.
What to Eat
- Classic plate: Polish sausage (kielbasa), noodles, sweet and sour cabbage, hard-boiled eggs
- M.R. Falcons buffet: $16 (includes the traditional West Side Club spread)
- Desserts prepared by club volunteers
- Cash bars at most venues
- Food is available while supplies last — go early!
Getting There
Parking
- Street parking near individual venues — arrive early for best spots
- Crumstown Conservation Club (rural) has its own lot
- No organized shuttle system — a car or rideshare is essential
- Venues are spread across South Bend, Mishawaka, North Liberty, and New Carlisle
Transit
- No public transit shuttle between venues — drive or rideshare
- Uber/Lyft available in South Bend metro area
- Crumstown is ~15 miles north of South Bend — you need a car
Pro Tips
- ★Start at Crumstown at 7 AM if you're a die-hard
- ★The West Side Democratic Club is the political hub — confirm this year's venue, as it has occasionally moved from its 617 S. Warren St. home
- ★Get there by late morning for the full political experience — candidates typically speak around 11:30 AM
- ★Hedwig Memorial Center replaced Z.B. Falcons (which closed May 2024 after 50+ years)
- ★Wear layers — late March in South Bend can be unpredictable
- ★If you're interested in the political tradition, this is your Dyngus Day
- ★Notre Dame students: this is your excuse to experience real Polish culture