Monday was Dyngus Day in Michiana and that means fun, food and politics.

But along with the traditions, there is sadness this year on the campaign trail. South Bend Democratic mayoral candidate Mike Hamann announced he will stay in the race after the unexpected death of his wife.

Last week, 50-year-old Mary Hamman was in rural Paraguay to attend her daughter's wedding when she died from an undetected health condition. Mary was the communications director for Notre Dame's Mendoza College of Business.

All of Mike’s opponents suspended their campaigns over the weekend. The tragic news is having an affect on this final week of campaigning.

Monday marked the 81st celebration at the West Side Democratic Club in South Bend. The celebration began in 1930 as a day of Polish food, heritage and lots of politics. Festivities started at 9 a.m. and lasted all day at the Ford and Warren streets building. Food will be available until it runs out.

Candidates from both parties campaigned all day at other various venues, from union halls to restaurants, across Michiana:

• UAW Local 5 Breakfast
  1426 S. Main St., South Bend
  Democrats available around 8-9:30 a.m.


• Hoosier Tap
  718 W. Indiana Ave., South Bend
  Democrats available 9:30-11 a.m.


• Elks Lodge #298
  1001 W. Western Ave., South Bend
  Democrats available 1:45-3 p.m.


• Firefighters Hall
  4025 Lincoln Way West, South Bend
  Democrats available 3:30-5 p.m.


• Clay Township Democratic Club
  109 E. Pendle Ave., Roseland
  Democrats available 6-7:30 p.m.


• Fiddler’s Hearth
  127 N. Main St., South Bend
  4:30-6 p.m. (candidates available around 5 p.m.)


• Benny’s
  3101 E. U.S. Highway 12, Michigan City
  11 a.m.-10 p.m. (candidates available from 5-7 p.m.)


• St. Pius X Catholic Church
  52553 Fir Rd., Granger
  5-10 p.m.
  Hosted by Knights of Columbus

Other places to visit (call ahead for times):

• Crumstown Conservation Club
  59440 Crumstown Highway, North Liberty
  234-4956


• BK Club
  721 S. West St., Mishawaka
  259-8825


• DeAmici’s Club
  302 W. 11th St., Mishawaka
  255-8729


• Knights of Columbus
  114 W. 1st St., Mishawaka
  255-2218


• AmVets Post 66
  1606 W. Western Ave., South Bend
  234-7995


• American Legion Post 284
  23571 Grant St., South Bend
  289-4459


• American Legion Post 303
  2503 Mishawaka Ave., South Bend
  287-0057


• American Legion Post 50
  1633 N. Bendix Dr., South Bend
  287-2696


• Jeannies Tavern
  621 S. Bendix Dr., South Bend
  288-2962


• MR Falcons
  3212 Keller Rd., South Bend
  288-1090


• McKinley Pub
  2930 McKinley Ave., South Bend
  234-2616


• Oaken Bucket
  1212 S. Ironwood Rd., South Bend
  289-1616


• PNA #83
  2401 W. Western Ave., South Bend
  233-0880


• ZB Falcons
  323 S. Sheridan St., South Bend
  288-3335


• Jovi’s Lounge
  1905 Miami St., South Bend
  289-3770


• Murphy’s Backyard Pub
  3601 Mishawaka Ave., South Bend
  233-5968


• Joe’s Tavern
  1201 Dunham St., South Bend
  237-9182


• C.J.’s Pub
  236 S. Michigan St., South Bend
  233-5981


• Mulligans Bar and Grill
  1705 South Bend Ave., South Bend
  277-5666

The tradition of renaming streets in South Bend continued as well. Ford Street at Warren became Dyngus Day Drive and Western Avenue at Laurel Street became Solidarity Day Drive.

The annual Solidarity Day celebration took place at Elks Lodge in South Bend at noon. It was started back in 1971 as a way to unite people of all races. On top of all the politics there was plenty of socializing among residents, and of course, lots of barbecued food.