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TOGETHER WITH

Good morning, Bend! We’ve got a busy weekend ahead with First Friday, concerts, Summer Pride, Makers Markets, and more!

In today’s Bend Buzz:

  • 🍷 First Friday is here

  • 🏘 City releases preapproved ADU plans

  • 🎉 Summer Pride 2026

Let’s get to it.

— Derek Carlson & Emily Elaro 

The wait is over! Kiln is officially open, and we can’t wait for you to experience it. We love our high-desert home, which is why we prioritized partnering with local favorites, including Junction Roastery, Metolius Tea, Sparrow Bakery, Bend Breakfast Burrito, M's Bakery, Pizza Mondo & many more. 

As a team of proud Bendites, we’re thrilled to welcome you the moment you walk through the doors! Meet the team: 

  • Juli Somers, Community Director (on the right) champions local partnerships, oversees site operations, and ensures everything runs smoothly for you. She’ll make sure you feel seen, welcome, and inspired. 

  • Emily Riechel, Member Success Manager (on the left) is the friendly face you’ll meet when you come in for a tour. She is ready to answer your burning questions and will help you onboard easily. 

  • Sydney Rapp, Member Experience Lead (in the center) is your person for all things community events. Reach out to her for booking meeting rooms, starting a club, or even hosting a movie premiere in our theater. 

The site runs with a heartfelt commitment to Bend, and we are excited to welcome you onsite! 

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

SNAPSHOTS

🏘 City Approves New Set of ADU Plans

Thinking about adding an ADU to your property? The city just made things a bit easier (and cheaper) for you to do so. They worked with Sierra James Construction’s architect Ian Burgess to create four pre-approved plans that have already checked the boxes for the city’s review and approval process for compliance with building codes. The plans were even created with mirror image versions, so you can find one that hopefully fits your space.

🛍 First Friday - June Edition

Somehow it is June already, and that means its time for another edition of First Friday. So say no to a lazy Friday evening at home and head out for an afternoon and evening of supporting local shops while enjoying some live music, free sips, and snacks.

🏳‍🌈 Bend Summer Pride Heads to Drake Park

Bend Summer Pride is heading to Drake Park on Saturday for a day of celebration, vendors, performances, and more! The party takes place on Saturday from 12 - 3 PM. That’s not all, though, as there are a ton of other pride events happening all over town this weekend. Check out the event lineup below for the full list.

🚵 ODOT Wants Your Input

Like to (or wish you could more easily) walk, run, or ride between Sisters, Redmond, and Bend? ODOT wants your input on potential new biking and walking routes between the three cities. They’re holding a virtual open house through June 26th, where you can provide your opinions and feedback.

BUSINESS HAPPENINGS

🥤 Eastside Mother’s Juice Cafe closes: We haven’t seen any social posts or official announcements from Mother’s Juice Cafe yet, but we wanted to share that their Eastside location is now permanently closed. A call to their west side shop confirmed the news. Bummer…

🎨 OAC First Friday Grand Opening: The Open Arts Center throws open its doors for First Friday with a proper grand opening celebration. Stop by and see what this creative space is all about. 5 PM The Open Arts Center

🍺 Lawn launch party: The new lawn area at Crux is finished, and they’re throwing a party to show it off (we stopped by last week, and it’s a huge upgrade!). Swing by all day on Saturday to check out the space, listen to live music, shop local vendors, and enjoy the summer weather.

@THEBENDBUZZ

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📸 @pete_alport |📍Broken Top
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TOGETHER WITH ALPINE MEADOW COUNSELING

We’ve got a special advertiser in this slot today. Meet Dr. Heather Dumser of Alpine Meadow Counseling. Not only is she an outstanding psychologist, but she’s also the Bend Buzz’s behind-the-scenes editor-in-chief.

After over 12 years of working with our nation’s veterans and providing mental health care within medical settings, she has officially launched her own practice and is now accepting new clients via telehealth and in-person!

Heather specializes in helping adults navigate life transitions, trauma, and the emotional impacts of cancer or other health-related changes. Her approach is collaborative and holistic, blending evidence-based therapies with clinical hypnosis and mindfulness.

Reach out at (541)241-6605 or learn more at alpinemeadowcounseling.com.

Ready to get started? Schedule your free 15-minute consultation below.

LOCAL LOWDOWN

Friday 6.5

🏋 Burpees & Burritos: Join GymX for a free morning workout followed by a free breakfast from Bend Breakfast Burrito. Spots are limited to 20, so be sure to RSVP! 10 AM GymX

🌾 Elevation Farmers Market: Summer Friday, farmers market, Elevation Bend. No cancellations this time around. 3 PM Elevation Bend

🎸 Revival Vintage Porch Party: Revival Vintage hosts a porch party with live music from The Tortilla Chips. Shopping, music, and that perfect early summer evening energy. 6 PM Revival Vintage

🎨 Watercolor with Victoria: A gentle and beautiful Friday evening painting class at TEAL. 6 PM Bend Tea & Art Lounge

🎻 Young Artists Scholarship Concert: Come support the recipients of the 2026 Young Artist Scholarship at this free concert. 7 PM Community Bible Church (Sunriver)

🎭 The Wedding Singer: Catch the opening weekend of Cascades Theatrical Company’s latest performance, The Wedding Singer. 7:30 PM Casades Theatrical Company

🌈 CLICHÉ — 2026 Pride Celebration Party: Volcanic Theatre Pub throws a Pride celebration party, and it's going to be everything. A night of joy, music, and community. 8 PM Volcanic Theatre Pub

Saturday 6.6

🏃 Dirty Half Marathon: The legendary Dirty Half Marathon takes runners through the trails at Phil’s. 7 AM Unitarian Church

📚 Summer with the Library Kickoff: The Deschutes Public Library launches its summer reading program at Alpenglow Park. A perfect Saturday morning for the whole family. 10 AM Alpenglow Park

🌿 Creating Gardens for Wildlife: Learn how to turn your backyard into a habitat at Wintercreek Nursery. Pollinators, birds, and beneficial insects will thank you. 10 AM Wintercreek Nursery

🧑‍🌾 Lavender 101: Head out to Tumalo Lavender as they’re hosting another one of their very popular Lavender 101 classes. 10 AM Tumalo Lavender

🛍️ Bend Handmade Market: Local makers fill downtown Bend for one of the best markets of the season. Come browse, come support, come home with something special. 10 AM Downtown Bend

🪴 Fill Your Garden: Pomegranate Home and Central Oregon Flower Collective are kicking off flower and gardening summer with a Fill Your Garden event. There will be plants for sale, seeds, a flower market, and gardening demonstrations so you can grow your own beautiful bouquets. 10 AM - 4 PM Pomegranate Home

🌾 NWX Farmers Market: Another great Saturday market option for fresh produce and local goods. 10 AM NWX

🧘 Yoga in the Park: Join Outside In at Drake Park for a morning of Vinyasa flow yoga hosted by Hannah Johnson. 10 AM Drake Park

🥾 Tumalo Falls Hike: Roundabout Social Club is bringing folks together for a scenic hike to Tumalo Falls. Make some new friends and enjoy some killer views while you’re at it! 11 AM Tumalo Falls Trailhead

🐝 Native Bee Walk at Metolius Preserve: Learn to identify Oregon's native bees on a guided walk through the Metolius Preserve. 11 AM Metolius Preserve

🏺 The Oregon Archaeology Roadshow: Bring your mysterious artifacts and let the experts tell you what you've actually found. You can also browse dozens of exhibits hosted by archeologists and heritage specialists. 11 AM Deschutes Historical Museum

🛶 Pride Paddle Parade: Take your Pride to the water with a paddle parade down the Deschutes. Colorful, joyful, and one of the more uniquely Bend ways to celebrate. 12 PM Bend Whitewater Park

🛍️ The Vintage & Makers Market at Crux: A curated market of vintage finds and handmade goods at Crux Fermentation Project. A great Saturday afternoon browse with a cold beer in hand. 12 PM Crux Fermentation Project

🏳️‍🌈 But I'm a Cheerleader: An iconic queer film meets burlesque in what promises to be one of the most joyful, campy, and unforgettable events of Pride weekend. 6:30 PM Volcanic Theatre Pub

Sunday 6.7

🌾 Worthy Farmers Market: Sunday morning at Worthy's farmers market with fresh produce, local makers, and a cold one if you want it. 10 AM Worthy Brewing

💎 Nature's Bling 7-Year Anniversary Market: Seven years of gems, crystals, and nature's most beautiful creations. Come celebrate and find something that speaks to you. 10 AM Nature's Bling

👑 DIVA Drag Brunch: Pride weekend doesn't end until DIVA says it ends. Dogwood hosts the ultimate Sunday send-off with drag performances, brunch energy, and enough glamour to carry you straight through to next year's Pride. 12 PM Dogwood at the Pine Shed

🌿 Guided Herbal Plant Walk: A guided walk identifying medicinal and edible plants along the riverbank. 4 PM TBD

🏊 Bend Summer Pool Party: Campfire Hotel keeps the Pride energy going with a summer pool party. Floaties, sunshine, and one last hurrah to kick off summer by the pool. 3 PM Campfire Hotel

🩰 Coppelia: Grand Ballet Academy brings the delightful classical ballet Coppélia to Bend! This charming comedy follows a whimsical inventor, his enchanting doll, and a lovesick young man torn between fantasy and true love. 2 PM Summit High School

LIVE MUSIC

Friday 6.5

The Tortilla Chips | Revival Vintage | 6 PM 
Coyote Rider | Bend Cider Co. | 6 PM
Cover Story | Boneyard Pub | 6 PM
The Roundabouts | Silver Moon | 7 PM | Tickets
Gretta Seabird | Silver Moon | 7 PM | Tickets
Petty Thievery | The Commonwealth Pub | 8 PM | Tickets

Saturday 6.6

Michelle Van Handel Quartet | River’s Place | 6 PM
Brandon Campbell Trio | On Tap | 6 PM
The Hugs | Silver Moon | 7 PM | Tickets
Bailey Zimmerman | Hayden Homes | 7 PM | Tickets
Double Jump | The Commonwealth Pub | 8 PM

Sunday 6.7

The Dust Devils | Deschutes Brewery Beer Garden | 4 PM
Dirk Van Houweling | Bend Cider Co. | 5 PM
Pete Kartsounes | River’s Place | 5 PM
Kurt Silva & Cynthia West | 10 Barrel West | 5 PM
Western Sky Choir | Hollinshead Barn | 2 PM & 5 PM | Tickets

THANKS!

Stay cool, and thank you again for reading!

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