South Bend prepares for Dyngus Day

Dozens of South Bend businesses joined in on the Easter celebrations Sunday with brunch buffets, but the celebrations don't stop there.

Monday is Dyngus Day, with a full schedule of celebrations.

Dyngus Day is a Polish holiday celebrated the Monday after Easter.

Political candidates gather for beers, make speeches and make jokes to kick off the political campaign season.

Fiddler's Hearth in South Bend is participating in the celebrations.

They'll host Democrats and Republicans for about an hour per party.

“There aren't many cities that celebrate it, but South Bend does. Big time,” Carol Meehan of Fiddler's Hearth said.

Meehan's bar has a stage set up with an American flag and a real soap box just in case.

“It's a day when all the democratic candidates come together and all the republican candidates come together so you really have a chance to meet them all,” Meehan said.

And Fiddler's Hearth is just one of many stops for candidates celebrating in South Bend.

When it comes down to it, Dyngus Day is a lighthearted celebration a few weeks before the political divides start to kick in.

“You can settle anything over a pint,” Meehan said.