The Bend Buzz
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🎈We have liftoff

🎈We have liftoff

Balloons over Bend takes off, Highway 97 is on the move again, and a couple new restaurants open their doors

Derek Carlson
July 26, 2024

Greetings, Bend! We're the scenic route to your daily news, offering breathtaking views and delightful detours.

In today’s Bend Buzz:

🎈Balloons take off over Bend
🚧 Highway 97 shifts again
📖 We love our libraries

Let’s get to it.

— Derek Carlson

SNAPSHOTS

🎈 Balloons over Bend takes to the skies

One of the premier events for early birds in Central Oregon takes place this weekend with Balloons over Bend. Don’t worry, night owls, there are evening events as well! Starting Friday morning, you can catch sunrise launches from R.E. Jewell Elementary, followed by the nightglow celebration at COCC.

Saturday also offers a sunrise launch from R.E. Jewell, followed by the night glow at American Legion Park in Redmond. The grand finale takes place on Sunday morning with another sunrise launch from Tetherow. So that’s three chances to try to conquer the snooze button!

🛣️ Highway 97 shifts again

Just as we were all getting used to the new northbound Highway 97 lanes, they’re keeping us on our toes once again. Starting Friday evening (that’s today!), the highway along the north side of town will shift to its new southbound lanes. Drivers heading south who want to get their Target fix will need to take the new Exit 134, which puts you on the old Highway 97 roadway.

BUSINESS HAPPENINGS

🦪 A match made in heaven with oysters and wine: A new concept from the minds behind San Simon opened in the old Kanona Cafe location on Galveston Ave. Olvidemos, an oyster and wine bar, kicked off with a soft opening on Tuesday and officially opened its doors to the public on Thursday (yesterday!)

🍣 The south side gets a new sushi spot: Also opening their doors with a soft opening on Tuesday was the new south side sushi spot, Ryoshi. Located in the Bend Factory outlet mall, this will be a much-appreciated spot for diners looking for more options on the southeast side of town.

LOCAL LOWDOWN

Friday

🚲 Bike & Brunch: Snack on a trail-worthy brunch and enjoy free rides on the Cascade East Transit buses all day as they shuttle you and your bike up to the trailheads so you can enjoy that sweet sweet downhill all the way back into town. The buses run with a brand new 20-bike trailer, so there will be plenty of room to rip for everyone. 8:30 AM Mt Bachelor Park & Ride

🎉 Celebration in the park: Join Bend Parks & Rec for a party in the park at Big Sky Park. With music, games, giveaways, prizes, and more, these events are a hit for the whole family 6 - 8 PM Big Sky Park

😂 Comedy at Bo’s: Spend your Friday evening at Bend’s biggest comedy club, Bo’s! While most folks may know it as their favorite bagel joint, tonight, comedians take over the space to make you laugh, cry, giggle, and perhaps even chortle. 7 PM 70 SW Century Dr

Saturday

✨ Last Saturday art walk: The Old Iron Works is hosting their last Saturday art walk with live music, crafts for the kids, coffee from Cafe des Chutes, and, of course, no shortage of art from local artists. 9 AM - 5 PM 50 SE Scott St

🗑️ Pitch in to help the river: The Deschutes is everyone’s favorite local hangout, and today is the day to pitch in and give back to this incredible local resource. The Upper Deschutes Watershed Council is hosting their 28th(!!) annual Deschutes River cleanup, and you’re invited. So grab a pair of gloves and come help pull weeds and remove all those empties from the riverbanks.

🍅 NWX farmers market: Farmers around the high desert are feeling the pinch this year from lower sales at the markets, so let's show up this Saturday (and Wednesdays as well) and show them that we love our fresh berries, veggies, and eggs that are grown right here in Central Oregon. 10 AM - 2 PM NW Crossing Dr

Sunday

✨ Nature’s Bling Market: Swing by take two of this summer market at Nature’s Bling. The heat sullied the first go around, and now the rescheduled date is here. Bring the whole family as there are plenty of booths to keep everyone entertained. 3 - 8 PM 133 SW Century Dr #202

LIVE MUSIC

Friday

Saturday

Sunday

BEND ACTIVITY GUIDE

⛰️ Our libraries are more than just books

Did you know that Central Oregon’s libraries offer up a whole lot more than just books? Of course, we love stopping in to pick up the next book in the Diary of A Wimpy Kid series, but here are a few more things they offer to every resident in the area:

Passes to the High Desert Museum, Deschutes Historical Museum, Sunriver Observatory, and Sunriver Nature Center
Want to try knitting, air frying, or making YouTube videos? The Library of Things makes it easy with dozens of free-to-borrow kits. These range from bouncy houses to metal detectors to badminton sets.
Want to head out on a hike to one of the parts of the Three Sisters Wilderness that requires a permit? You can get these from the library as well.
Services galore. The Bend libraries are always hosting events for kids and adults alike, such as story time, kids yoga, legal services, small business advice, etc. Check out their event guide to see all that they offer.

THANKS!

Stay cool, and thank you again for reading!

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