🎃 A spooktacular weekend ahead

TOGETHER WITH

Good morning, Bend! Here is your spooky roundup of events happening around the high desert this pre-Halloween weekend.

In today’s Bend Buzz:

• 🎃 Halloween parties all weekend long

• 🍗 A new chicken and beer collaboration opens

• 📚️ Imagination Library comes to Central Oregon

Let’s get to it.

— Derek Carlson

SPONSORED BY NATIONAL SOLAR

If you've lived in Bend for more than a week, you've undoubtedly heard that the high desert is home to more than 300 days of sunshine per year. While this claim may not be totally true, it is true that Bend is an excellent location to harness the sun's power and turn it into clean, renewable energy.

Our friends over at National Solar are the local experts in doing just that; the community even nominated them The Official Community Choice Awards for Best Solar Energy Company in Bend!

On top of that, National Solar isn't just some door-to-door sales company. They will handle everything from the estimate to the engineering to the installation of your solar array and battery storage system. And from September 8 - October 31, they are offering discounted pricing for all local Deschutes County, Jefferson County, and Crook County homeowners.

Visit National Solar or call 541-348-8450 to schedule your free estimate today.

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SNAPSHOTS

📚️ Imagination Library expands to Central Oregon

Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library has expanded to Central Oregon. If you’re a parent with kids ages 0 to 5, then you can sign up and receive one free book a month! Sign up here to get started.

🎙️ 2025 concert season at the Amphitheater

The calendar may still say 2024, but that doesn’t mean it isn’t too early to start looking forward to concerts at the amphitheater in 2025. The first announcement for the new year was made last week, and tickets are already on sale for RÜFÜS DU SOL. I’m not going to even pretend that I know that band, but I get the vibe that they are popular, so maybe start grabbing those tickets now.

BUSINESS HAPPENINGS

🐔 Wonderland Chicken x Worthy Brewing collab opens - Worthy Brewing’s downtown location, formerly known as Burgers and Beers, will be reopening TODAY as a collaboration between Worthy and Wonderland Chicken. Stop by to say hi and try some of Central Oregon’s best fried chicken. I hear it pairs well with a cold brew!

🍺 Funky Fauna 3rd anniversary party - Come and celebrate three years of funky beers from Funky Fauna at their Spookiversary celebration. There will be special beers, spooky packs, and food from Kita Cafe. Saturday 3 - 7 PM

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LOCAL LOWDOWN

There are SO many Halloween parties happening this weekend that I listed all of them near the bottom of the newsletter. So scroll down if you’re looking for the best spot to show off your dance moves in a Scooby Doo costume.

Friday

🍺 Boneyard x Ghost Town Brewing Party: Boneyard is throwing a party with their friends at Ghost Town Brewing. The event will feature an incredible tap list, makers market, and live music. 1 - 7 PM 1955 NE Division St

🎭️ Sweeney Todd kicks off: The Greenhouse Cabaret’s latest series of performances, Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street, kicks off today on a run that continues through November 23rd. Performances take place Thursdays through Sundays, but grab your tickets now, as they are selling fast! 7 PM 1017 NE 2nd St

👕 Queer Closet clothing exchange: Queer Popup Closet is hosting a FREE clothing exchange at Open Space Event Studios. Stop by to put together a whole new wardrobe on the cheap. 3 - 5 PM 220 NE Lafayette Ave

🕺 Learn to boogie: If you’re new to swing dancing or want to hone your already burgeoning skills, then swing (see what I did there 😉 ) by The Space Dance Studio to take a beginner or intermediate-level West Coast swing dance class. 6 PM 2570 NE Twin Knolls Dr

Saturday

🎥 One last spooky movie: Ponch’s Place is hosting its last spooky movie screening of the season. Keep warm in the covered patio while watching Monster House and snacking on popcorn. 6 PM 62889 NE Oxford Ct

🌫️ Diff’rent Smokes Beer Fest: Spend the afternoon at Unofficial Logging Co. trying an assortment of smoked beers, or rauchbier as they are known in Germany, from around Central Oregon at the Diff’rent Smokes: Rauchbier Festival. Proceeds from the event will go to support the Oregon Volunteer Firefighters Association. 1 - 5 PM Unofficial Logging Co.

👻 Spooky standup: Stop by Craft Brewery & Kitchen for a night of spooky standup that will have you falling out of your costume. 8 - 9:30 PM 62988 Layton Ave

🍻 Deschutes Jubelale Jubilee: Celebrate the changing of the seasons and the release of this year’s Jubelale beer from Deschutes Brewery. With live music, local vendors, and, of course, pours of Jubelale, this event will get you into the holiday spirit. 1 - 5 PM 901 SW Simpson Ave

🏃‍♀️ Happy Girls Run: Hit the trails with your favorite ladies at the Happy Girls Run in Sisters. With distances from a 5k all the way up to a half marathon, there is an option for every runner.

🍰 Cake and coffee at the market: Stop by Palate Coffee for their autumn market, where you can enjoy a seasonal latte, pick up goodies from local vendors, and even a slice of cake from Foxtail. 10 AM - 2 PM 643 NW Colorado Ave

Sunday

🤣 Comedy from Edgar Allen Poe: Actor Ty Boice brings Edgar Allen Poe back to life to answer questions about love, sex, and relationships in modern times. This comedy event will leave you caw’ing in your seat. 6 - 8 PM 220 NE Lafayette Ave

😱 Horror films past to present: The Bend library is hosting a walk through the history of horror films from the 1970s to the present. Learn how films from the past have impacted movie-making today. 3 - 4 PM Downtown Bend Library

🍁 Fall color hike: Join Deschutes Land Trust for a fall colors hike through the Metolius Preserve, where you can take in the brilliant golden color of the larch trees. 10 AM

LOCAL ARTIST SPOTLIGHT

Calendar launch by Kirsten of Watercolor Wednesday

Local artist Kirsten McLean of Watercolor Wednesday has launched her 2025 calendar, Wild Wanderings! This beautifully illustrated calendar captures the charm of Central Oregon’s iconic landscapes and outdoor adventures, from Mt. Bachelor’s Red Chair to fly fishing on the Metolius and kayaking on Sparks Lake. It's the perfect blend of beauty and practicality, making it a thoughtful gift!

To celebrate, Kirsten is offering 15% off all purchases (except the calendar) and free shipping through Tuesday, October 29th! Be sure to check out her brand-new tea towels, specifically her popular Bend Illustrated Map tea towel! Don’t miss this chance to bring a piece of Central Oregon’s adventures into your home.

^{If you’d like your art featured in an upcoming newsletter or in our shop local guide, please fill out this form.}

LIVE MUSIC

Friday

Sisters High School Auditorium | Jim-Isaac Chua | 7 - 9 PM | Tickets
M&J Tavern | Chained to Stone | 9 PM - Midnight
Ponch’s Place | Rudolf Korv | 5:30 - 7:30 PM
Faith, Hope, and Charity Vineyards | Eric Leadbetter | 6 - 9 PM | Tickets
The Domino Room | Bearly Dead | 9 PM | Tickets
Bunk + Brew | Maria Jackson, Sisu, & Hana Fleur | 6 - 9 PM

Saturday

Unity Spiritual Community | Adam Bauer | 12 PM | Tickets
Crux | Blake and the Music | 5 - 7 PM
Silver Moon Brewing | North by North | 7:30 PM | Tickets
Faith, Hope, and Charity Vineyards | Rob Gregerson | 6 - 9 PM | Tickets
The Ale Apothecary | Drive B and Bangers | 6 - 8 PM
Bridge 99 Brewery | Terrance Neal | 7 - 9 PM
Northside Bar & Grill | The Substitutes | 8 - 11 PM

Sunday

River’s Place | Fluffalove | 5 - 7 PM
Willamette Valley Vineyards | If & When | 3 - 5 PM
Tower Theatre | American Authors | 7:30 PM | Tickets
Volcanic Theatre Pub | Frankie & The Witch Fingers | 7 PM | Tickets
The Domino Room | Trapt, Smile Empty Soul, CORE, & Leviticuss | 6:30 PM | Tickets

👻 HALLOWEEN PARTY ROUNDUP

It is the last weekend before Halloween, and that means it is time to put on your best costume and head out for a night of dance parties, spooky music, and other ghoulish good times.

Here’s a roundup of all the Halloween events around the high desert.

Family Friendly

Haunted Carnival at Mountain View High School - Take a journey through the haunted carnival and help support the arts at Mountain View High. Non-scary options are available for the little ones. Friday (7 - 10 PM), Saturday (5 - 10 PM) & Sunday (5 - 8 PM)

Boo Bash at The Little Gym - Bring the kids by The Little Gym for an afternoon of open play in costume! Friday 3 - 5 PM

Halloween Hangout at Free Spirit Yoga - Costume contest, zombie tag, raffle prizes, spooky photo backdrop, and a visit from Spiderman. Friday 3:30 - 5 & 5 - 6:30 PM

Bend Ghost Tours - Bend Ghost Tours runs year-round, but what better time to peek into the supernatural occurrences around town than on the weekend before Halloween? Friday through Sunday 5:30 PM & 7:30 PM

Witchy Weekend at Juniper Preserve - Pumpkin patch, Halloween games, ghost performance, makers market, and more! Saturday 3 - 8 PM

Autumn Family Fair at Troy Field - Head to Troy Field in downtown Bend for an autumn fair full of fun activities for the whole family. Costumes are welcome. Saturday 11 AM - 3 PM

Autumn Fest at Old Iron Works - Join small businesses in the Old Iron Works for a good old-fashioned fall festival. There will be pumpkin rolls, caramel corn, pumpkin painting, and more. Saturday 10 AM - 5 PM

Harvest Party at Bend Brewing Company - Dress up the kids and bring them down to Bend Brewing Co. for bouncy houses and trick-or-treating. Adults can enjoy hot apple cider and brews on the lawn. Saturday 11 AM - 5 PM

Pints for Parents at Midtown Yacht Club - Free pumpkin painting, Halloween beverages, costume contests for you and your pup, and trick or treating for the kids. Saturday 1 - 7 PM

Trunk Or Treat & Scavenger Hunt at First Presbyterian Church - Dress up the family and head out for an afternoon of trunk or treat and a fun scavenger hunt for the kids. Sunday 3 - 4:30 PM

Light Up Halloween at Bend Church of the Nazarene - This family-friendly event will feature trunk or treating, bouncy houses, free snacks, and live music. Sunday 6 - 8 PM

Central Oregon Goldens Halloween Costume Contest at Boneyard Pub - Put on your golden retriever’s spookiest ghost costume and head down to the Boneyard Pub to hang out for an afternoon of food, drinks, music, and a costume contest. Please RSVP. Sunday 3 PM

Adults Only

Halloween Party at M&J Tavern - Put on your best costume and party to rock hits from the 90s from local band Chained to Stone. Friday 9 PM - Midnight

Katacombs Halloween Ball at Volcanic Theatre Pub - Dress up in your favorite costume or goth attire and head down to Bend’s darkest Halloween party. Friday 8 PM

Kooky Halloween Bash at Boss Rambler Beer Club - Costume contest, drink specials, Halloween photo booth, and food from Blue Eyes Burgers. Saturday 6 PM

Carnival of Ghouls at Silver Moon Brewing - Join the Cult of Tuck for a drag clown carnival with lip-sync battles, a costume contest, and more. Saturday 7:30 PM

Dance of the Dead at Worthy Brewing - Costume contests, music from DJ C.O.D and J Meast, and plenty of food and drinks to go around. Saturday 8 PM

Twink or Treat at Open Space Event Studios - Head on down to the Central District for a costume party to go along with drinks and music. Saturday 8 PM - Midnight

Halloween at Immersion Brewing - Costume contest with over $1,000 in prizes and live music from The Rum Peppers. Saturday 8 PM - 2 AM

Hounds and Hooch - This party is for the dogs! Dress up Fido and bring them to Crater Lake Spirits to partake in the costume contest, photo booth, and more. Saturday 1 - 4 PM

Halloween Party at the Campfire Hotel - Stop by in or out of costume for an evening of live music from The Wanna B-52s. Saturday 6:30 - 9:30 PM

Beetlejuice Party at Velvet Lounge - Dress up in your best striped Beetlejuice gear and head down to the Velvet Lounge for a night of dancing to DJ Teezus. Saturday 5 PM - 1 AM

Halloween Dance Party at Bevel Craft Brewing - Put on your best costume and head to Bevel for a Halloween dance party. Saturday 6:30 - 9 PM

Boo at the Barrel at 10 Barrel West - Costume contests, spooky drinks, and smash burgers to keep the party rolling. Saturday 7 PM - Midnight

LCL LUV Halloween at Volcanic Theatre Pub - Dance the night away with a rotating cast of DJs who will keep the party moving. Saturday 8 PM

McMenamin’s Halloween Costume Party - Throw on a costume and head down to McMenamin’s, which will be hosting live performances from the Dad Bods Band and Watkins Glen. Saturday 9 PM - Midnight

Halloween Drag Brunch at Deschutes Brewery - There’s no better way to shake off those late-night cobwebs than at a Sunday morning Halloween-themed drag brunch. Sunday 11 AM - 2 PM

THANKS!

Stay cool, and thank you again for reading!

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