River lights

The heart of South Bend is the St. Joseph river, and there are many great activities associated with the river that I want to mention. To enjoy most of these requires warmer weather than we mostly have. Today I want to mention a recently-created river attraction that can be enjoyed in all weathers.

In the summer of 2015, the River Lights were installed along both banks of the St. Joseph near Seitz Park. This is an interactive art installations: pylons dotted with powerful LEDs that colorfully illuminate the flowing river, and change subtly as watchers move around the banks. The installation was part of South Bend's 150th anniversary celebration, but will remain indefinitely.

The lights come on half an hour before sunset, and stay on until sunrise, although the interactivity stops at midnight. The color theme varies day-by-day, some days reflecting current events (blue and gold when Notre Dame football wins a home game; recently red, white and blue on the day of a terrible terrorist attack in Paris, in solidarity with the people of France).