🏫 The countdown begins

Greetings, Bend! It’s our 1-month birthday (+ a couple of days, but who’s counting) 🎂 Instead of a cake smash video, we’re dishing up some goodies to get you ready for the weekend.

In today’s Bend Buzz:

• 🍿 Movies in the park kick off

• 🍷 First Friday is back

• 🎪 The fair marches on

Let’s get to it.

— Derek Carlson

SNAPSHOTS

🎡 The Deschutes County Fair Marches On

There’s nothing like a weekend of corndogs, cotton candy, and carnival rides. Actually, on second thought, maybe don’t go in that order 🤢 Either way, the Deschutes County Fairgrounds will be the place to be this weekend with must-see events like the rodeo and demolition derby taking place.

⚾ Baseball Season Draws To A Close

The Bend Elks are finishing up their summer season over the next week, so if you haven’t yet made your way over to Vince Genna Stadium for a game, then you only have a handful of opportunities left! The Elks take on the Corvallis Knights on Friday before finishing up the regular season schedule against Wenatchee next week.

BUSINESS HAPPENINGS

🍹 El Sancho rises from the ashes: After the devastating fire at El Sancho’s Eastside location, we all wondered what the future would hold for folks on that side of town who needed their Sancho Bowl fix. Well, fear not, as a new and improved iteration of Bend's most beloved taco shop will be rebuilt and ready to serve up tacos and margs again soon.

🎿 A new consignment store moves in: When Hutch’s Bicycles moved out of their Westside Bend location, it left many wondering what would move in to take its place. Those questions have been answered as Second Wind Sports, a small Bozeman-based sports consignment shop, has quietly taken over the space. 10 AM - 6 PM 725 NW Columbia St

LOCAL LOWDOWN

Friday

🎠 The Carnival is coming to town: Hop into Bunk + Brew for a night of carnival performers, burlesque style. Be amazed by fire spinners, acrobats, jugglers, and more at this 21+ event. 7 - 8 PM 42 NW Hawthorne Ave

🛍️ First Friday is here: Get ready for an evening of sipping, strolling, and dancing as First Friday takes over downtown Bend and the Old Mill district. Wander through Bend’s shops to browse art made by local artists and nosh on small bites. 5 - 8 PM

🦫 A dam good time: If you’re looking for an excuse to get the kids out of the house, then head out to Shevlin Park for a guided nature walk along the park’s beaver dams. Think Wild is leading the tour and will talk about the impact beavers have on our ecosystems. 9 - 11 AM Aspen Hall

🍿Movies in the park kicks off: Bend Parks & Rec’s annual movies in the park series kicks off with a showing of Mulan at Al Moody Park in NE Bend. Bring a picnic blanket and some popcorn to enjoy this animated classic with a few dozen (or hundred) of your closest friends. 6 - 9 PM 2225 NE Daggett Ln

Saturday

🍅 NWX farmers market: Head up to Northwest Crossing to grab your weekly fill of produce, baked goods, and meats from businesses from around Central Oregon and beyond. 10 AM - 2 PM NW Crossing Dr

🤑 Kids' Entrepreneur Market: Teach your little ones the value of a hard-earned dollar at this maker’s market that features products and services made and sold by kids from around the High Desert. 10 AM - 1 PM 51 NW Louisiana Ave

Sunday

🧶 9th St Village Makers Market: Join Bevel Craft Brewing for their monthly makers market, where you can peruse goods made by local makers, sip on locally brewed beers, and jam out at the bluegrass jam circle. 12 - 4 PM 911 SE Armour Rd

LIVE MUSIC

Friday

Faith Hope & Charity Vineyards | Emily Stanton | 6 - 9 PM | Tickets
Bend Cider Co. | The Dust Devils | 6 - 8 PM
Ponch’s Place | Popcorn Trio | 6:30 - 8:30 PM
Worthy Brewing | Scott Pemberton O Theory | 7 - 9 PM
Volcanic Theatre Pub | Soul Rebels | 8 PM | Tickets
Boneyard Pub | Leftslide | 6 - 9 PM
Deschutes County Fair | Yung Gravy | 8 - 9:30 PM | Tickets
Ale Apothecary | Blackflowers Blacksun & The Jess Ryan Band | 6 - 8 PM
Thump Coffee | Erin Cole-Baker | 6 - 9 PM
Goodlife Brewing | Zipline | 6 - 8 PM

Saturday

Silver Moon Brewing | Too $hort | 7 PM | Tickets
Elk Lake | The Erins | 5 PM
Hayden Homes Amphitheater | Iliza | 8 PM | Tickets (Comedy)
Paulina Lake Resort | The JUGULARS | 2 - 5 PM
Faith Hope & Charity Vineyards | John Hoover & The Mighty Quinns | 6 - 9 PM | Tickets
Worthy Brewery | Dad Bods | 6 - 8 PM
On Tap | Almost | 6 - 8 PM
River’s Place | Monkey Mode | 6:30 - 8:30 PM
Northside Bar & Grill | Switchback | 8 - 11 PM
Velvet | One Mad Man | 8 - 11 PM
Deschutes County Fair | Lil Kim & Bow Wow | 8 - 9:30 PM | Tickets
LOGE Camps | Tyler Spencer | 4 - 9 PM

Sunday

Hayden Homes Amphitheater | Gipsy Kings | 6 PM | Tickets
Volcanic Theatre Pub | Hell’s Belles | 8 - 11:59 PM | Tickets
River’s Place | Freddy & The Flannels | 6 - 8 PM
Juniper Preserve | Cave Choir & Sound Bath | 10 AM | Tickets
Bevel Craft Brewing | Bluegrass Jam Circle | 3 - 5 PM
Deschutes County Fair | Banda Recoditos | 3 - 6 PM | Tickets
Worthy Brewing | Long Gone Wilder | 1 - 3 PM

BEND OUTDOOR GUIDE

⛰️ Experience life in the Wild West of the high desert

Approximately 90 minutes north of Bend, you’ll find the tiny town of Shaniko. Although often referenced as a ghost town, this tiny outpost is still home to a few hearty souls, and this weekend, the town opens its arms with the annual Shaniko Days festival.

So, if you’re looking to get out of town for a day, then pack up the car and take in the Shaniko parade, live music, and cake auction. Although wild west-style gun fights are often a fixture of this festival, they unfortunately will not be taking place this year.

The festival runs all day Saturday through Sunday morning.

THANKS!

Stay cool, and thank you again for reading!

Have an event you want to feature or want to advertise your business to our 1,100+ readers in Bend? Drop us a line here → [email protected]