🍂 Fall Fest is Here

TOGETHER WITH

Good morning, Bend! I hope you all are able to find the perfect spooky costume at the swaps this weekend.

In today’s Bend Buzz:

• 🍂 Fall Fest takes over downtown

• 👻 A pair of costume swaps

• 🎿 Don’t forget to register for the ski swap

Let’s get to it.

— Emily Randolph & Derek Carlson

SPONSORED BY AUSTIN BUSKOHL REAL ESTATE

Earlier this week, someone asked me:
“Where do you see the market going and when may be a good time to buy or sell in the next few years?”

I love questions like this.

While the second part depends on your personal goals, the first one? That’s where things get fun.

The market doesn’t move randomly. It reacts to interest rates, buyer demand, inventory levels, and local confidence. The patterns aren’t always obvious from headlines, but they are there.

And right now? We’re seeing some of those patterns already take shape.

If you've got questions, odds are someone else does too. I’m always happy to share what I’m seeing behind the scenes. No pressure, just real insight.

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SNAPSHOTS

🍁 Fall Festival is here!

Fun little behind-the-scenes nugget before we get into the good stuff. One of the reasons I started the Bend Buzz was because we somehow missed the Fall Festival two years in a row. Even though information about it was plastered literally everywhere, we still forgot about it when the weekend finally arrived, and I figured there had to be a better way to get that information out to the masses. And now the rest is history…

Fall Festival! For three days, downtown Bend is transformed into a stage for live music, kids’ fun, art, a harvest market, food carts, tasty beverages, and more! Add in First Friday, Fresh Hops on the Pond, and everything else happening, and we have a pretty epic weekend ahead.

Friday night will feature food and live music, while Saturday and Sunday’s festivities include the kids’ art zone, play area, art booths, business showcase, music, food, and harvest market.

Check out the full lineup of music and events here.

🍷 First Friday - October Edition

To really amp up the fun on Friday evening, it is also first Friday at the Old Mill and downtown Bend. First Friday runs from 3 - 6 PM at the Old Mill (don’t forget the upstairs galleries!) while the downtown fun takes place from 5 - 8 PM. Don’t miss the block party at The Commons kicking off at 6:30 PM and featuring live music from the Silverton Devils.

🎿 MBSEF Ski Swap Dropoff Deadline

There is snow on the mountains, so it’s time to start gearing up for this year’s ski season. One of the best ways to grab some new (to you) gear and support a good local cause is at the MBSEF ski swap that takes place every year at The Pavilion. If you want to include your gear in the swap, the deadline to register your gear is Monday, October 6th! Gear dropoff takes place on October 9th & 10th with the ski swap happening on the 10th & 11th.

P.S. Want in on the pre-sale party to get the pick of the litter? You can buy tickets here.

BUSINESS HAPPENINGS

🛍️ Ruffwear Warehouse Sale: Paws up, dog lovers! The Ruffwear warehouse sale is back for another weekend of sweet deals on discontinued gear, lightly blemished seconds, and returns. The sale runs Friday from 11 AM - 4 PM and Saturday from 10 AM - 3 PM. The Humane Society of Central Oregon will also be on hand with adoptable pups looking for their forever home. 2843 NW Lolo Dr

🎉 Terranaut Beer one-year celebration: It’s hard to believe it was already a year ago that we were writing up a blurb on the opening of Terranaut Beer. To celebrate their first trip around the sun, they are throwing a one-year anniversary celebration on Saturday. There will be special beer releases, raffles, live music, games, and plenty of time to savor their tasty fall beer lineup. 12 - 10 PM Terranaut Beer

🐯 Tekka Tiger reopening in their new cart: One of our favorite restaurants/food carts that has opened this year is holding a soft opening for their brand new (to them) cart in a brand new location. Tekka Tiger will be open from 10 AM - 3 PM today (Friday) at 3308 N Highway 97 (the spot previously occupied by Mimi’s Bagels, right by Winco).

✨ W Aesthetics opens their new location: Come check out W Aesthetics’ brand new space on the west side and help them celebrate their 8th anniversary! Guests can enjoy raffles, giveaways, VIP swag bags, cocktails, light bites, dancing, a photobooth, a permanent jewelry booth, an exclusive look at their brand-new luxury space, and more! Saturday 5 - 8 PM 2219 NW Labiche Ln, Suite 120

@THEBENDBUZZ

📸 @cooperartandabode | Downtown Bend
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TOGETHER WITH HOLIDAY HOMES

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Impress guests, delight customers, and create memories in a beautifully decorated space without lifting a finger. Book early to secure your spot and let Holiday Homes Bend transform your holidays into something truly unforgettable.  

LOCAL LOWDOWN

Friday 10.3

📚 Meet the Authors: Get inspired by Oregon voices Mayfield & Strelow as they share insights into their craft, creative journeys, and the power of storytelling. Perfect for bookworms and aspiring writers. 11 AM Downtown Bend Library

🍻 Fresh Hops on the Pond: Fresh hop season is short—don’t miss it! Bend Brewing Company turns the riverfront into a beer lover’s paradise with live music, flowing hops, and golden autumn vibes. 11 AM Bend Brewing Company

🦪 First Friday Oyster Bar: Slurp, sip, repeat. Viaggio Wine Merchant’s monthly oyster bar pairs the brininess of the sea with carefully selected wines for the perfect Friday treat. 3 PM Viaggio Wine Merchant

🤣 Comedy for Kids’ Sake: Laughs meet generosity at this Big Brothers Big Sisters fundraiser. Enjoy an evening of comedy, dinner, and drinks—all in the name of supporting local youth. 5:30 PM Tetherow Pavilion

🌀 Fractal Fluency: Get your mind blown at this fusion of art, science, and math. Fractals come alive in stunning visuals and interactive displays that will leave you seeing patterns everywhere. 6 PM High Desert Museum

🤣 Comedy with Amanda Lynn Deal: Bold, witty, and unapologetically funny—Amanda Lynn Deal brings the heat to Craft Kitchen. This is stand-up you’ll be talking about all weekend. 8 PM Craft Kitchen

🚲️ First Friday Community Ride: Roll into First Friday and the Fall Fest in style with a community bike ride with Bend Bikes. The ride leaves from The Commons and rolls back into town just before the music kicks off at 6:30 PM. 5:30 PM The Commons

Saturday 10.4

🎒 Ruck & Talk: Movement. Connection. Growth. Join a growing group of local men who meet weekly for a weighted walk and real conversation. Sign up to be added to the list. Details are sent out each Friday evening for the Saturday morning rucks.

🎾 Courts for a Cause: Smash serves for a good cause! Join this fun tennis event where the competition is friendly, the community is strong, and every point supports local charities. 9 AM Athletic Club of Bend

👗 Costume Swap & Share: Skip the store and swap instead! Bring gently used costumes and leave with something new-to-you, just in time for Halloween. Sustainable, fun, and festive. 10 AM Downtown Bend Library

🧘 Heart Chakra Journey: Step into the healing power of your own heart with this gentle 90-minute moving meditation that helps you release stress, restore balance, and reconnect with the love and compassion already within you. 10:30 AM Hanai

🚵 Funner Fest: It’s bikes, beers, and big stoke at Wanoga. Whether you’re racing, riding, or cheering from the sidelines, Funner Fest is all about celebrating Central Oregon’s MTB community. 10 AM Wanoga Trail Complex

🩰 Swan Lake: Be swept away by the magic of Swan Lake performed by the world-renowned Grand Kyiv Ballet. A timeless story told through breathtaking movement. 2 & 7 PM Tower Theatre

🎉 Latino Heritage Celebration: Music, food, dance—this cultural celebration lights up Open Space Studios with the vibrant traditions of Latino heritage. 3 PM Open Space Studios

🧀 Master of Cheese Film Screening: Cheese lovers, unite! This documentary delves deeply into the art and passion of cheesemaking, accompanied by community & conversation. 4:30 PM Hanai

🧑‍🚒 Bend Fire & Rescue Open House: This one’s for the kids. Although let’s be real, you’d be excited to sit in a firetruck too. Bend Fire & Rescue is opening their doors for folks to check out the trucks, enjoy some ice cream, and learn a little about fire safety. 10 AM - 1 PM 63377 NE Jamison St

Sunday 10.5

👟 Fall Foot Races: Lace up and hit the ground running! With distances for all levels, the Fall Foot Races bring the community together for a crisp autumn morning of movement, camaraderie, and finish-line pride. 8 AM Cascade Lakes Welcome Center (Half & 10k) & 9:30 AM Riverbend Park (5k & kids race)

👗 Vintage Pop-Up Shop: Find that perfect retro gem at this curated vintage pop-up. Clothing, accessories, and funky finds await! 12 PM Upp Liquids

🌊 Cascade Lakes Clean Up: Give back to the trails and waters that give us so much. Wanderlust Tours leads a cleanup mission to keep our lakes pristine—gloves and good vibes provided. 1:30 PM Wanderlust Tours

🍞 Sourdough Starter Class: Learn the magic (and patience) of sourdough from scratch. Arome Kitchen’s hands-on class will have you feeding your starter, baking with confidence, and never buying bread the same way again. 2 PM Arome Kitchen

🎯 Storm Water Polo Cornhole Tournament: Bags fly, beers pour, and bragging rights are on the line. Join Silver Moon for an afternoon of cornhole fun, all while supporting Storm Water Polo. 3 PM Silver Moon

🎃 Ceramic Jack-O-Lantern Workshop: So long, goopy pumpkins. Hello, hand-carved ceramic jack-o-lanterns. It’s time again for the always popular pumpkin carving workshop at Mud Lake Studios, where, at the end of class (actually 2 weeks after, once they’ve glazed and fired the pumpkins), you’ll go home with your new spooky Halloween decor. 2, 4:15 & 7 PM Mud Lake Studios

🧝‍♀️ Halloween Exchange: Miss yesterday’s costume exchange at the library, or already ready to swap it out for another costume? Porch Swing (the local buy nothing app) is hosting a free Halloween costume and decor swap at Discovery Park. I call dibs on the bat costume (someone please bring a bat costume). 3 - 5 PM Discovery Park

LIVE MUSIC

Friday 10.3

Rusty Frets | Bend Brewing | 12 PM
Double Jump | Bend Brewing | 3 PM
DJPK (The Groove Looper) | Fall Festival | 5:30 PM
The Polish Ambassador | Volcanic Theatre Pub | 6 PM | Tickets
Mamas Boy | Bend Brewing | 6 PM
Call Down Thunder | Fall Festival | 7 PM
That 90s Band | Silver Moon | 7 PM | Tickets
Left on Wilson | McMenamins | 7 PM
Worlds of Song | Tower Theatre | 7:30 PM | Tickets
Eric Leadbetter Band | The Commonwealth Pub | 8 PM
Stephanie Anne Johnson | Fall Festival | 8:30 PM
The Ghost of Brian Craig | M&J Tavern | 9 PM

Saturday 10.4

The Bunkhouse Two | Fall Festival | 2:30 PM
Appaloosa | Fall Festival | 4 PM
Skillethead | Fall Festival | 5:30 PM
Leadbetter Band | Fall Festival | 7 PM
Soul’d Out | The Commonwealth Pub | 8 PM
Company Grand & Mamas Boy | The Domino Room | 8 PM | Tickets
No Duh? | Fall Festival | 8:30 PM

Sunday 10.5

Long Gone Wilder | Fall Festival | 12:30 PM
Bekkah McAlvage | Fall Festival | 2 PM
Alicia Viani Trio | Fall Festival | 3:30 PM
Circle Jerks w/ Negative Approach | Volcanic Theatre Pub | 7 PM | Tickets

THANKS!

Stay warm, and thank you again for reading!

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