Good morning, South Bend.

Families in Michiana have many Memorial Day Weekend events starting today and running through May 26 that include memorial parades, ceremonies, and community gatherings — offering options like BBQs, pancake breakfasts, and flea markets.

Events in counties such as St. Joseph, Elkhart, and Cass provide residents with several family-friendly ways to honor the holiday.

Potawatomi Zoo in South Bend welcomed six baby Chacoan peccaries on May 21 from three different mothers, and the animals are active in their enclosure.

The zoo now has 11 peccaries overall+ and some will be sent to other facilities to help breed the endangered species for future reintroduction.

The county announced that two segments of Redwood Road will be closed for utility pole replacement in the upcoming weeks.

The road from Stanton Road to Riley Road will be closed May 27 to June 4 — and from Riley Road to Quinn Road on June 5 to 10.

South Bend is hosting one of the largest youth soccer tournaments in the region as the Jr. Irish Soccer Club Memorial Day Invitational opens today with a flag-raising ceremony at 5:30 p.m.—the event honors veterans by lowering the flag to half-staff while Taps plays and attendees recite the Pledge of Allegiance.

Notre Dame football is now eligible for a first-round College Football Playoff bye under a new 12-team format—approved by 10 FBS conference commissioners and athletic director Pete Bevacqua on May 22—that changes their seeding from the previous system that only placed top conference champions automatically in the quarterfinals.

College Football Playoff officials approved a new straight-seeding model for the 2025 postseason on Thursday—eliminating the rule that penalized Notre Dame for not being in a conference.

Under the plan—top four teams in the committee's final rankings will receive first-round byes.

Candle Making Classes

2:30-4:00 p.m. — 304 S Main St — Materials included — Unleash your creativity while making your own unique candles.

German Township Community Picnic

9:30 p.m. — 51755 Portage Rd, South Bend, IN — Cash donations or pantry items — Enjoy an evening with Martin's chicken, sides, and beverages at this community gathering.

Women’s Wellness Awareness Event

4-6 p.m. — OneRoof Southeast Neighborhood Center — No RSVP needed — Engage in crafts and resources while enjoying snacks at this family-friendly wellness event.

Candlelight: Tribute to Coldplay

8:45-11:00 p.m. — South Bend Scottish Rite — Candlelight experience — Enjoy a mesmerizing tribute to Coldplay's greatest hits performed by a string quartet.

Pizza and Paint: A Mental Health Awareness Gathering

5-7 p.m. — St. Joseph County Public Library Community Learning Center — Free entry — Enjoy a creative painting session paired with delicious pizza while raising mental health awareness.

The Big Run 5K

7-8:30 p.m. — Central Park — Free entry — Celebrate Global Running Day with a 5K and support community initiatives.

Lowbrow Sideshow 2025

11 a.m. – 7 p.m. — Brett Gordon's Towing and Repair — $8 Pre-Sale, $10 Door — Celebrate local art, music, and custom vehicles at this vibrant annual festival.

South Bend Women’s Small Group

6:45-7:30 a.m. — South Bend, Indiana — Contact for details — Engage with the community in a supportive women's group setting.

Watercolor Painting Class for Beginners

10 AM – 12 PM — Howard Park, Farmer Room — $5/class, $30/session — Learn the basics of watercolor painting with an enthusiastic instructor focused on technique and creativity.

Ben Folds Concert

7-8:30 p.m. — Morris Performing Arts Center — Tickets range from $78 to $176 — Experience the musical stylings of Ben Folds in an intimate concert setting.