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🍜 How much ramen can you eat?

🍜 How much ramen can you eat?

The Fair rolls on, Sunriver Music Festival kicks off, and a ramen eating contest

Derek Carlson
August 01, 2025

TOGETHER WITH

Good morning, Bend! It feels nice to be writing this newsletter on a cloudy and drizzly July morning. But if summer could return for the weekend, that would be great.

In today’s Bend Buzz:

🎡 The Deschutes County Fair continues
🍜 Tomi Mart celebrates with a ramen eating contest
🎵 The Sunriver Music Fest kicks off

Let’s get to it.

— Emily Randolph & Derek Carlson

SNAPSHOTS

🎡 The Fair Rolls On

I hope you didn’t eat your fill of corndogs on the first day of the fair, as you’ve still got a whole weekend of fun ahead of you. The Deschutes County Fair continues all through the weekend with headlining music acts, rodeo fun, and enough funnel cakes that you’ll never look at fried dough the same way again.

🎹 Sunriver Music Fest Takes the Stage

The Sunriver Music Fest kicks off this weekend at the Tower Theatre with their opening night Classical Concert: A French Soirée on Saturday evening, and the always popular Pops Concert: A Tribute to Broadway & Film Music on Sunday.

The music continues through August 13th, and while I’ll keep you up to date on events as they happen, if you have an eye on a concert, I’d suggest getting tickets sooner rather than later. The pops concert is almost sold out, the season finale is sold out, and tickets are moving fast for most everything else.

Side note: I’m in Sunriver all week as my kids are in nature and space camp at the Sunriver Nature Center (I highly recommend these camps so far!), and it gave me the chance to pop into the Sunriver Music Festival offices to say hello to their team. They do an incredible job of bringing this music to Central Oregon, and I’d highly recommend supporting them by taking in one (or all!) of their shows.

🎁 August Premium Subscriber Perks

It’s that time again when our Premium Membership email goes out to those folks who have chipped in a few bucks to help support the Bend Buzz. As a reminder of what you get as a premium member, each month I send out an email with some behind-the-scenes chatter, a monthly event preview, and a perk from a local company.

In previous months, we have offered up a free month at a coworking space, breakfast burritos, and gym memberships. This month’s offer comes from The Pantry and, well, you’ll have to sign up to get all the details. I can promise it’s worth it, though!

BUSINESS HAPPENINGS

🍜 Tomi Mart Matsuri + Ramen Eating Contest: Tomi Mart is celebrating another trip around the sun with a Matsuri featuring local creators, food, drinks, and, of course, their 3rd annual ramen eating contest. The fun runs from 2 - 7:30 PM, with the ramen-eating contest kicking off at 6 PM. Saturday Tomi Mart

🍺 Podski Top Rainier Sales in America Celebration: At this point, it would be a surprise if the Podski didn’t take home the honors of being the top spot for Rainier sales in the country. To celebrate this prestigious award, they are throwing a party with loud music, cheap Rainier, and a good old-fashioned hot dog-eating contest. Saturday 1 - 10 PM The Podski

🌲 Pac Nor Westy Grand Opening: A few weeks ago, we included a blurb about the soft opening of the PNW-themed apparel shop Pac Nor Westy at their Box Factory location. Well, now they’re ready to throw a proper grand opening party, and you’re all invited. Welcome them to the neighborhood and enjoy some sips, campfire snacks, and maybe you’ll walk away with one of their raffle prizes! Friday 3 - 7 PM

🍶 Camp Clay seconds sale: The last seconds sale at Camp Clay was such a hit that they’re running it back again. Stop by to shop from their selection of perfectly imperfect pots from over 50 ceramic artists. Saturday 10 AM - 5 PM Camp Clay

🍖 Luckey’s Woodsman 5th Anniversary Party: While this event is taking place at Luckey’s Woodsman’s Sisters location, they have enough of a Bend connection that we have to include it. Join Luckey’s Woodsman as they celebrate 5 years in business with a pig roast and live music. Suggested donations for a plate are $18, but no one will be turned away, so pay what you can and join in on the fun. Friday 3 - 8 PM Luckey’s Woodsman (Sisters location)

@THEBENDBUZZ

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TOGETHER WITH CALL OF THE WILD

Bend is a dog town...and you proved it 🐶

After our last feature, Call of the Wild's dog adventure slots filled up in a flash. Founded by dog whisperer Josh Oberman, Call of the Wild offers 90-minute off-leash outings where your pup can run wild (safely), explore new terrain, and burn off energy with their pack.

Each adventure includes pickup, drop-off, and one tired, happy dog at the end.

Spots are limited, so don’t wait.

📲 Text Josh at (973) 420-3669 or email [email protected] to book.

P.S. Want to see the magic in action? Follow along on IG @callofthewildbend.

LOCAL LOWDOWN

Friday 8.1

👟 Trailblaze Bend 5K Scavenger Hunt: This isn’t your average 5K—solve clues, explore downtown, and race your friends through Bend in a high-energy scavenger hunt. 4 PM Downtown Bend

🧘‍♀️ Watercolor + Yoga: Flow, breathe, and paint in nature at this peaceful mashup of art and movement, set in beautiful Tumalo State Park. 5:30 PM Tumalo State Park

🎤 Maxx Eddy: Catch the comedy chaos of Maxx Eddy at this one-night-only standup set—part of the Bend Comedy Festival lineup. 6:30 PM The Capitol

💘 Speed Dating & Singles Mingle: Ready to flirt IRL? Sip wine, spark connections, and maybe meet your match at this fun, low-pressure dating event for those 21-50, hosted by Epiphany Match. 6 PM Bend Wine Bar

🚵‍♀️ Gravity Series, Hot Dust: Downhill dreams come true at Mt. Bachelor’s summer gravity race series! Whether you're in it to win it or just love flying down the trails, this fast-paced, dusty good time is open to all levels. 3:30 PM Mt. Bachelor

🎨First Friday Artwalk: Bend’s art scene comes alive both in the Old Mill District and downtown! Galleries open late, wine pours freely, and the sidewalks are buzzing with live music, pop-up vendors, and local magic. 3 - 6 PM @ Old Mill & 5 PM Downtown Bend

Saturday 8.2

🎭 Cabin Fever Burlesque: La Bon Burlesque brings a cheeky, camp-themed revue to Craft Kitchen. Think summer camp meets glitter bomb. 7 PM Craft Kitchen & Brewery

📽️ Sleepless in Seattle Movie Night: Gather with the gals at this cozy outdoor movie night under the stars. BYO blanket! 7:30 PM Stirrup Purpose

🥾 Farm to Table Hike & Lunch: Hike through lush farmland, then enjoy a chef-prepared, hyperlocal lunch with Wanderlust Tours and Rainshadow Organics. 8 AM Rainshadow Organics

🍿 Cascade Classics Cinema: Join Blockbuster and Cascades Theatrical Company for another classic summer flick. 2:30 PM Cascades Theatrical Company

💐 Flower Market: Brighten up your home with a fresh bouquet of local flowers from the Central Oregon Flower Collective flower market. Each week, local flower farms bring their best and brightest blooms for you to choose from. 10 AM - 1 PM Pomegranate Home

⚙️ Play at the Park: The Central Oregon Children’s Museum is hitting the road and setting up shop at Ponderosa Park. Bring the littles for a morning of learning, building, and all-around fun. 10 AM - 1 PM Ponderosa Park

Sunday 8.3

🔮 Midsummer Sound Bath + Ritual: Ground yourself in sound, scent, and intention at this dreamy evening of ritual and restoration. 7 PM Bend Yoga Center

🏖️ Cascade Equinox Pool Party: Celebrate the season with DJs, floaties, and fun in the sun at this Equinox Fest pre-party. 3 PM Campfire Hotel

🧠 Brainy Brunch Trivia: Mimosas, breakfast sandwiches, and pop culture questions? Count us in. Gather your crew for this laid-back, brain-tickling Sunday trivia sesh. 12 PM River’s Place

🎨 'No Frills' Craft Event: Skip the glitter, keep the creativity. This low-key craft hangout is perfect for a chill morning of hands-on fun! 10:30 AM East Bend Library

🛼 Sunday Funday Family Skate: Skate into the weekend’s last hurrah with open rink time for all ages. Rentals available, vibes guaranteed. 2 PM The Pavilion

🍅 Worthy Farmers Market: Now we’re really getting into the good part of farmers market season, as local farms will be showing up with fresh peppers, tomatoes, eggplants, and all the other summer veggies we all love (although my kids would disagree when it comes to eggplants). 10 AM - 2 PM Worthy Brewing

UPCOMING EVENTS

🍶🧀 Sake & Cheese Pairing Class: Teri Tith from Talking Cheese is back with another cheese class, and this time she'll be pairing artisanal American cheeses with Japanese sake. Reading a sake label will be demystified, and you will learn about the artistry of making fine sake. Better yet, you will taste premium sake paired with their cheesey "soul mates" by local experts. The class is offered twice at Hanai on Wednesday, August 13th at 5:30 PM, and again on Sunday, September 21st at 4:30 PM*

_{*indicates sponsored advertising content. Interested in featuring your upcoming event in this spot?}_{Reach out here}_.

LIVE MUSIC

Friday 8.1

Saturday 8.2

Sunday 8.3

THANKS!

Stay cool, and thank you again for reading!

Have an event you want to feature or want to advertise your business to our 13,000+ readers in Bend? Drop us a line here → [email protected]

🍜 How much ramen can you eat?

The Fair rolls on, Sunriver Music Festival kicks off, and a ramen eating contest

SPONSORED BY HAYDEN HOMES AMPHITHEATER

SNAPSHOTS

🎡 The Fair Rolls On

🎹 Sunriver Music Fest Takes the Stage

🎁 August Premium Subscriber Perks

BUSINESS HAPPENINGS

@THEBENDBUZZ

TOGETHER WITH CALL OF THE WILD

LOCAL LOWDOWN

Friday 8.1

Saturday 8.2

Sunday 8.3

UPCOMING EVENTS

LIVE MUSIC

Friday 8.1

Saturday 8.2

Sunday 8.3

THANKS!