🎈 Balloons Take Flight Over Bend

TOGETHER WITH

Good morning, Bend! Good luck to all those parents out there who promised to take their kids to the balloon launches and are now sitting outside at 6 AM.

In today’s Bend Buzz:

• 🎈 Balloons Over Bend launches

• 🎉 COPA celebrates 50 years

• 🗓️ Your weekend events roundup

Let’s get to it.

— Emily Randolph & Derek Carlson

SPONSORED BY AUSTIN BUSKOHL REAL ESTATE

More Options. More Time. More Leverage

After peaking in April, Bend’s median home price has quietly settled into the low $700Ks: less a crash, more a shift in who’s buying.

But here’s where it gets interesting:
Within Bend's city limits, there are 186 homes currently for sale between $500K and $699K, and they’re not flying off the shelf.

• $500K–$549K: 75 days on market (avg)

• $550K–$599K: 69 days on market

• $600K–$649K: 94 days on market

• $650K–$699K: 80 days on market

Nearly half have already seen a price drop, averaging 3% off, a clear sign that many sellers are realistic and open to negotiation.

Translation:
There’s plenty to choose from. The market’s pace favors buyers. And the door to negotiation is wide open.

If you’ve been waiting for the pressure to ease and the odds to tip in your favor, this might be your moment.

Click below to explore what’s available and what these trends could mean for your move.
Because in a market like this, the best opportunities rarely advertise themselves.

Curious about what's available? Click here to take a peek

_{Interested in featuring your business in our next ad spot? ⬆️ Fill out THIS FORM!}

SNAPSHOTS

🎈 Balloons Over Bend Takes to the Skies

The weather is looking calm for the weekend, which is good news as Bend’s annual hot air balloon show, Balloons Over Bend, kicked off this morning! Each morning this weekend, balloons will be launched from Jewell Elementary at around 6:45 - 7 AM.

The main events of the weekend are the Night Glows in Bend at COCC on Friday evening and in Redmond at American Legion Park (Redmond’s night glow is run in conjunction with the Redmond Brew Fest) on Saturday. Here you can get up close to the balloons as they glow in the evening light, listen to live music, enjoy some food and drinks, and take in the beauty of Bend on a warm July evening.

The morning launches are free, and Bend night glow tickets can be purchased here.

🌲 City of Bend Launches New Climate Action Partner Grant Program

The City of Bend has launched a new Climate Action Partner Grant program, designed to provide support to local nonprofits and government entities that are working to advance climate action in our community.  

The grant provides funding for projects that help implement the Community Climate Action Plan, including work related to clean energy, sustainable transportation, energy efficiency, waste and materials management, and community resilience.

Need to know details:

• $150,000 available in year 1

• Application deadline: September 21, 2025

• Virtual info sessions:

  • Monday, July 28, 3:00–4:00 PM (PST) | Register here

  • Tuesday, August 26, 10:00–11:00 AM (PST) | Register here

• Learn more Climate Action Partner Grant Program | City of Bend

• Apply: https://forms.office.com/r/zM0bGMxrYS

BUSINESS HAPPENINGS

🧑‍🌾 North 44 Kitchen opens: Want a new source for locally raised meats, tasty homemade bone broth (personal side note: their bone broths have saved us during many a cold season), and other Bend-made goodies? North 44 Farm has officially opened its retail outlet, North 44 Kitchen. They’re located off of 2nd St and are currently open Wednesdays to Fridays from 2 - 6 PM.

🍜 Pho Viet temporarily closing for renovations: Get your fill of pho while you can, as Pho Viet is planning on temporarily closing both their eastside and NWX crossing locations starting on August 28th. Their Eastside location will be getting a makeover, and since it serves as the commissary kitchen for the NWX location, both will need to close. Fear not, as both are planned to reopen on August 9th.

🌯 Longboard Louies closes for good: If you love a good burrito while shopping for cars along Greenwood Ave, then this is your last chance to grab one from longtime Bend restaurant Longboard Louie’s. Their last day is scheduled for tomorrow, July 26th.

🎉 COPA 50th anniversary celebration: COPA (Central Oregon Pediatric Association) is celebrating its 50th (!!!) anniversary this weekend with a party at Alpenglow Park. There will be bouncy houses, exhibits from the children’s museum, cotton candy, face painting, and plenty more fun. Saturday 12 - 4 PM

🎤 Tumalo Cider is looking for musicians: Tumalo Cider is kicking off a fresh run of Friday night music, and they're looking to book new acts. So if you’re a local artist hunting for gigs (or just someone who wants a cider and some tunes to wind down the week), you’re in luck. The first show of the new lineup is tonight with Aliki Samone taking the stage.

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TOGETHER WITH GLOSSED WHITENING BAR

Get Summer-Ready With a Brighter Smile 😁 ☀️ 

Weddings, vacations, lake days, whatever your plans for the rest of summer, Glossed Whitening Bar can help you shine.

Amanda’s professional teeth whitening treatments are quick, effective, and designed to leave your smile noticeably brighter without the downtime. (Bonus: she’s a registered dental hygienist, so you’re in expert hands.)

Whether you’re prepping for a big event or just want that extra boost of confidence, this is your summer glow-up move. Even better? Amanda has appointments available this week!

✨ Snag your spot now and let your smile do the talking.

LOCAL LOWDOWN

Friday 7.25

🚵 Gravity Series: Downhill bikes, dirt flying, and big air vibes. Head up the mountain to catch the third race in this summer shred series. 3:30 PM Mt. Bachelor

🍷 Sippin' for Scholarships: A stylish wine event at Stoller Wine Bar raising money for recreation scholarships. Sips for a good cause! 5 PM Stoller Wine Bar

🌕 Moai Women’s Circle: Connection, conversation, and good vibes with the Moai community over drinks and snacks. 6 PM On Tap

💃 Too Darn Hot: This Tower Theatre performance brings Broadway-level heat. Music, dancing, and show-stopping fun. 7 PM Tower Theatre

🖼️ Sisters Artwalk: An evening of art, wine, and small-town charm. Meet the makers, sip a little something, and enjoy the mountain air. 4 PM Downtown Sisters

🌮 Food Cart Friday: Bite into something delicious at Discovery Park’s laid-back Friday hang. Food trucks, friends, and good vibes. 5 PM Discovery Park

🎸 Nashville night at Blacksteer Steakhouse: Backyard Music Co is bringing the music of Nashville to Bend and the Blacksteer Steakhouse for an intimate listening-room style music experience. 4 - 9 PM Blacksteer Steakhouse

🪴 Ceramic altar making workshop: Put those pottery skills to work (or pick up some new pottery skills if this is your first time) at this two-part ceramic altar making workshop with Krista of La Luce Studio & Rach of Pine & Prism. 6 PM (2nd session - 8/8 @ 6 PM) Pine & Prism Wellness Collective

🪩 Harmony Farms Sanctuary Anniversary Party: Come celebrate with Harmony Farm Sanctuary at their 10 (+1) anniversary party at Funky Fauna. There will be tasty food, live music from Skillethead, a silent auction, and more! 6 PM Funky Fauna

🎒 Real talk with RuckTalks: Walk, talk, and shake off the weight both literally and figuratively. RuckTalks is a new community for men in Central Oregon that meets weekly for early morning rucks (think: weighted walks + real conversations). Sign up for details on location and time.

Saturday 7.26

🔥 Hops & Heat: Spicy bites, local brews, and a hot sauce contest that’ll melt your face (in a good way). Come hungry and bring your bravery!. 11 AM Boneyard

🌼 Firewise Native Plant Gardening: Get those green thumbs ready! Learn how to grow a fire-smart, pollinator-friendly garden that thrives in the High Desert. 12 PM Worthy Brewing

🧘 Guided Forest Bathing: Nature therapy at its finest. Slow down, breathe deep, and soak in the calm of Shevlin Park. 1 PM Shevlin Park 

🎪 Midsummer Carnival: Family fun, classic games, and summer joy all around. One of those events the kids will talk about for weeks. 2 PM The Grove

🍿 Cascades Classic Cinema: The Cascades Theatrical Company and Blockbuster (you may not have heard, but the last Blockbuster is right here in Bend) have teamed up to bring back the summer classics from Steven Spielberg at this weekly movie series. 2:30 PM Cascades Theatrical Company

Sunday 7.27

🫖 Tea Dance at The Podski: Queer joy + dancey beats + patio hangs = the Sunday reset you didn’t know you needed. 4 PM The Podski

🌬️ Summer Exhale at Juniper Preserve: Wind down your weekend with a dreamy mini retreat—yoga, spa vibes, and seriously good snacks. 11 AM Juniper Preserve

🔋 Solar Power System Workshop: Go off-grid like a pro. Learn how to build your own solar setup for RVs, vans, and trailers. 12 PM Hanai

🎤 Early & Dirty Comedy Show: Get ready for laughs that come fast and a little filthy—Stars Cabaret is hosting an early comedy show that doesn’t hold back. 6 PM Stars Cabaret 

🧺 Pine Needle Basketry: Get crafty with nature! Learn the art of pine needle basket weaving in this hands-on class hosted by Nighthawk Naturalist School. No experience needed, just curiosity and creativity. 10 AM East Bend Library

LIVE MUSIC

Friday 7.25

Railroad Earth, Yonder Mountain String Band, & Daniel Donato’s Cosmic Country | Century Center | 4:30 PM | Tickets
Evan Mullins | Ponch’s Place | 6 PM
Timothy James Trio | Wildwood Bar & Grill | 7 PM
The Vibeshiftas | The Commonwealth Pub | 8 PM
Maria Jackson Band | Portello Wine & Spirits | 7 PM
Teenage Bottlerocket, Broadway Calls, & Guests | Silver Moon | 7:30 PM | Tickets
Jordan Wolfe | Thump NWX | 6 PM
Aliki Samone | Tumalo Cider | 4 PM

Saturday 7.26

Double Wide | Austin Mercantile | 4:30 PM
Mizmor, Vacancy Floor, & Weapon World | Silver Moon | 7 PM | Tickets|
The Red Clay Strays | Hayden Homes | 7 PM | Tickets
Late for the Train & Breanna Gonzalez | Silver Moon | 7:30 PM | Tickets
Jeshua Marshall Trio | The Commonwealth Pub | 8 PM
The Topsiders | The Grove | 6 PM
Call Down Thunder | Drake Park | 6 PM
Mark Kroos | The Commons | 6 PM

Sunday 7.27

Pete Kartsounes | River’s Place | 6 PM
Boot Juice w/ Mamasboy | Volcanic Courtyard | 4 PM
Two Trick Pony | Bunk + Brew | 6 PM

THANKS!

Stay cool, and thank you again for reading!

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