🤠 Fairwell Fest is back in town

Greetings, Bend! Our news is the river of refreshment that flows straight to your inbox, keeping you in the know.

In today’s Bend Buzz:

• 🌵 A fond Fairwell

• 🍕 A Portland institution is coming to Bend

• ⛰️ A new exhibit at the High Desert Museum opens

Let’s get to it.

— Derek Carlson

SNAPSHOTS

🌵 Fairwell Fest kicks off

Last year’s inaugural Fairwell Festival at the Deschutes County Fairgrounds was, by all accounts, a resounding success (so long as you didn’t get stuck in the late-night traffic jams.) This year’s edition kicks off on Friday with promises of a new and improved experience for festival goers.

🍷 Sip into the weekend

Central Oregon’s biggest wine event keeps on rolling into the weekend, with the Sip portion of the party taking place on Friday. There are still tickets available to chat with the winemakers, snack on small bites, and sample some of California’s finest wines.

🎭 To be or not to be

Guerilla Shakespeare is performing The Merry Wives of Windsor around the high desert this weekend. Performances are at Deschutes Historical Museum on Friday, Pioneer Park on Saturday, and Duffy's on Sunday.

BUSINESS HAPPENINGS

🍕Big news in the Bend pizza scene: The Source Weekly broke the news that Ken’s Artisan Pizza is opening a second location in downtown Bend! For those who don’t know, Ken’s is one of the top-rated pizza restaurants in the world and will be a massive addition to the Bend dining scene. The anticipated opening is November 2024. 1033 NW Bond St

🍔One of Bend’s best burgers is moving on up: Also included in the story about Ken’s is that Americana, the smashburger food truck serving up a heaping of value in every meal, is opening their first brick and mortar location in the same building.

LOCAL LOWDOWN

Friday

🎸Fairwell Festival: Day 1 of the Fairwell Festival kicks off with headliners Billy Strings, Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit, and Colter Wall. It's gonna be a hot one, so make sure to pack plenty of ice if you plan on camping.

🌻Bend’s flower market is underway: Stop by Pomegranate Home and Garden Friday between 11 AM - 2 PM to spruce up your home or office with a bouquet of locally grown flowers. The market features flowers from 21 local growers. 11 AM - 2 PM 120 NE Bend River Mall Dr.

Saturday

🦬Art in the West opens: The High Desert Museum’s newest exhibit opens on Saturday, featuring the work of regionally and nationally acclaimed artists. The pieces are all up for auction at a variety of price points, so there should be something for everyone who wants to add a little art to their lives. 59800 US-97

🚗Check out these wheels: Come and check out some fancy cars at the Bend Elks Car, Truck, & Motorcycle Show, which takes place at the Elks Club. The event is free to attend, and a BBQ lunch is available for purchase. 9 AM - 1:30 PM 63120 Boyd Acres Road

🍺Shandy shindig: Deschutes Brewing is throwing a party to celebrate summer and the release of their new lemonade summer shandy. Swing by the brewery beer garden for lawn games, live music, and, of course, pours of their new seasonal that is sure to be a hit. 3 - 7 PM 969 SW Colorado Ave

🌭Take me out to the ballgame: Cheer on the Bend Elks and their newly minted all-stars as they take on the Corvallis Knights. 6:35 PM SE 5th St and Roosevelt Ave

🚲 Watch the trails: The High Cascades 100 bike race will be kicking off from the Bend Athletic Club and rolling through trails on both the north and south sides of the Century Dr. If for some reason you’re planning a ride in the 101 degree heat that day you might want to take a glance at the course map so you’re not dodging delirious racers.

Sunday

⛺Build your own backpacking meals: Learn how to create your own lightweight and nutritious backpacking meals with this hands-on class. Soon, you will be able to break free from the overpriced bags of dehydrated biscuits and gravy. 9 - 10:30 AM 869 64170 O. B. Riley Rd, Tumalo, OR

LIVE MUSIC

Friday

Bend Cider Co. | John Shipe | 6 - 8 PM
Faith, Hope, and Charity Vineyards | Reno & Cindy | 6 - 9 PM
Worthy Brewing | Company Grand Performance | 7 - 9 PM
Volcanic Theatre Pub | Joseph Konty | 8 PM
Bend Brewing Company | Dive Bar Theology | 6 - 8 PM
Boneyard Pub | Critical Blues Band | 6 - 9 PM

Saturday

Open Space | Paradigm | 9 PM - 1 AM | Tickets
Boss Rambler | DJ Robert Planet | 12 - 9 PM
Elk Lake Resort | Alcyon Massive | 5 PM
River’s Place | Haute Melange | 6 - 8 PM
Faith, Hope, and Charity Vineyards | Precious Byrd | 6 - 9 PM | Tickets
Crux | 3ofWe | 6 - 8 PM
Bridge 99 Brewery | Zack Madison | 6:30 - 8:30 PM
Papi Chulo’s | Sunset Latin Party | 7 - 11 PM
Northside Bar & Grill | Chained to Stone | 8 - 11 PM
Volcanic Theatre Pub | That 90’s Band | 9 PM | Tickets
Drake Park | Call Down Thunder | 5 PM
Bunk & Brew | Not Your Ex Lover | 6:30 PM
Silver Moon Brewing | Jesse Roper | 7 PM
On Tap | Doc Ryan | 6 - 8 PM
Worthy Brewing | Robot Mushroom | 7 - 9 PM

Sunday

Boneyard Pub | Sequoia Rose | 5 - 8 PM
River’s Place | The Deltaz | 6 PM
Brasada Ranch | McKayla Marie | 5 PM
Thump Coffee | Erin Cole-Baker | 3 - 4 PM
Juniper Preserve | Cave Choir & Sound Bath | 10 AM | Tickets

BEND OUTDOOR GUIDE

⛰️ Take the Big Butte Challenge

Have you ever thought to yourself that you should go outside and climb all of the big buttes around Central Oregon? No? Well, what if we told you that doing so would earn you a beer from a local brewery after each successful summit? Interested yet?

If so, then try your hand at the Big Butte Challenge, put on by the team behind the Cascade Lakes Relay. It’s a great way to get outside and explore some of the amazing high points around the area and earn some frosty drinks as a reward.

If you join and want a friend to hike up with, shoot me an email. I may just take you up on it.

THANKS!

Stay cool, and thank you again for reading!

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