The party of the century: Morris Performing Arts Center celebrates 100 years with community festival

 

SOUTH BEND, Ind.-- The Morris Performing Arts Center is a staple of downtown South Bend, and has been since it was the old vaudeville house in 1922.

Friday and all-day Saturday, it’s the party of the century in front of the theater’s iconic marquee.

“It’s so important to keep this performing arts center going,” said Mary Jane Elias, a volunteer for the Morris 100 Fest. “It offers so much to every age in the community and the surrounding towns too.”

The festival was completely free for anyone in attendance, and included activities like a Ferris wheel. Families flooded the plazs in front of the theater for the for the event.

Food vendors, games, a music garden, a live painting exhibit, and so much more are all part of the biggest birthday party in south bend.

The fest was free, but proceeds from drink purchases and donations went right back into the Morris Performing Arts Center.

“The performing arts offer something that we can’t get just on an every day basis,” Elias said. “And I think having that offered to everyone is really important.”

City leaders announced plans to expand the Morris—and say they’ve raised $24 million dollars of their $30 million goal.

The festival runs all day Saturday starting at 9:30 in the morning.