☀️ McKenzie Pass is open

McKenzie Pass Highway opens, food carts on the move, and how to keep your kids busy this summer

Author

Derek Carlson
June 16, 2025

TOGETHER WITH

Good morning, Bend! Here’s your dose of events and good vibes to keep the summer going strong.

In today’s Bend Buzz:

  • 🛣️ McKenzie Pass opens to car traffic for the summer

  • 🥖 Food carts on the move

  • 🌞 How to entertain the kids this summer

Let’s get to it.

— Emily Randolph & Derek Carlson

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SNAPSHOTS

🛣️ The McKenzie Pass highway opens today

Those who had put off biking the McKenzie Pass Highway while it was still car-free will have to wait another year as the road officially opens to all traffic starting today. So if you’ve been itching to get out and hit the trails along the pass but didn’t want to make the 50-mile trip to the trailhead on two wheels, then you’re in luck.

🚗 Speed limits increase on the north end of Bend Parkway

For folks driving through the north side of town along 97, your trip will be a little quicker, as the speed limit along the parkway has been increased from 45 to 55 MPH north of the Empire overpass. This change should save drivers ~20 seconds, so don’t spend it all at one place.

⭕️ Roundabout roundup

I guess you could say this (inter)section is one of those only in Bend things. Here’s the latest on roundabout construction around the city.

  • Deschutes Market & Yeoman Rd - This project just reached the halfway point (at least with the published timeline) and is still anticipated to open in mid-August.

  • Skyline Ranch and Skyliners Road - This intersection is closing today for the construction of a new roundabout. If all goes according to plan, it should reopen in late August. Check the detour signs if you’re headed up to Phils or Tumalo Falls.

  • Bear Creek Road and 27th Street - Construction continues on this multi-year project, with this intersection slated to open again in the fall. Part two will take place next summer and will include the actual roundabout construction (the current work is on the underground utilities).

BUSINESS HAPPENINGS

🚐 Food trucks on the move: A few food trucks have been on the move lately, with Zorba the Greek landing at Dogwood at the Pineshed and The Brown Owl making its return t Crux.

📰 The Source Weekly brings home the hardware: Bend’s weekly newspaper, The Source, took home three first-place awards at the 2024 Northwest Excellence in Journalism competition. The awards were in General Excellence Writing (Small Newsroom), Graphics & Illustrations (Small Newsroom), and Environment & Natural Disaster Reporting. Great job, Source crew!

@THEBENDBUZZ

📸 @bendparks |📍Riley Ranch Nature Preserve
Tag @thebendbuzz to get your photos featured!

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LOCAL LOWDOWN

Monday 6.16

🎨 Women’s watercolor & yoga: Flow into the week with this serene outdoor combo of gentle yoga and watercolor painting at Tumalo State Park. All levels welcome! 5:30 PM Tumalo State Park

🚲 Cycling across Oregon: Whether you’re a seasoned rider or just curious, hear from cyclist and author Robert Pickett about his journey to explore all 17 of the state’s official scenic bikeways in one year. 6 PM Downtown Bend Library

🎶 In a Landscape: Pianist Hunter Noack brings his open-air concert series to Black Butte Ranch, where nature becomes the concert hall. Note that this event is sold out, but there are plenty more to choose from, including a concert in Drake Park in September. These shows are amazing (we’ve been to two) and I’d highly recommend checking one out. 5 PM Black Butte Ranch

🧠 Monday night trivia: Put on those thinking caps and head over to Bridge 99 Brewing for an evening of trivia with Useless Knowledge Bowl Trivia. 6:30 PM Bridge 99

Tuesday 6.17

🍷 Women tasting flights: Join Flights Wine Bar for a tasting led by Ponzi Vineyards’ Carrie Kalscheuer, perfect for wine-curious women and friends. 5:30 PM Flights Wine Bar

👐 Hanai open house: Swing by Hanai for their weekly open house. Here you can connect with community, use their tranquil space to recharge, or maybe even check out Gather Sauna House’s new digs. 4 - 7 PM Hanai

🍸 Kegels & cocktails: Yes, you read that right. A pelvic floor health class with drinks. Learn and laugh in this fun, judgment-free space. 6 PM Hanai

🔔 Sound bath: Take 45 minutes to melt your stress with crystal bowls, deep breathing, and a little library magic. 12:15 PM Downtown Bend Library

🌞 Summer party with Cultivate Bend: Celebrate the season with food, music, and community at Alpenglow Park. Family- and dog-friendly, with major good vibes. 5:30 PM Alpenglow Park

⚙️ Play at the park: The Children’s Museum is hosting another pop-up event, and this time it’s taking place outdoors at Farewell Bend Park. Bring the littles by from 10 AM to 1 PM for some hands-on, STEAM learning fun. 10 AM - 1 PM Farewell Bend Park

WEEKEND PREVIEW

This weekend in Bend is bursting with berries, blues, and big summer solstice energy. Here’s what’s happening:

🍓 Friday kicks off with SOAR Activity Day at The Pavilion and Berry Fest at Schilling’s Garden Market. Rockhounds, head to Roundabout Books for a geology-inspired talk, or tap into the season with Unity’s Summer Solstice event and a late-night happy hour at Currents.

🪴 Saturday is stacked: Start with a Unity walk and garden tour, then swing by Camp Clay’s summer market. There’s a skate jam at Crux, poetry at Lone Pine, social dancing at Dilly Dally, and salsa night at River’s Place. Something for everyone!

🚗 Sunday starts early with Cars & Coffee at Old Mill and a local book launch party at Sunriver Brewing. Scrabble Club at Paulina Springs keeps your brain sharp, while Campfire Hotel hosts a crafty photo embroidery session. Cap off the weekend with a unique cheese and wine class at Hanai - featuring anything but cow cheese.

🎶 Live music all weekend from Earth, Wind & Fire to The Widdler, Thunderstorm Artis, Jon Pardi, Leftover Salmon, and more! Don’t miss the 4 Peaks Music Festival kicking off at the Tower Theatre or Bend Blues Fest lighting up Silver Moon on Saturday.

LIVE MUSIC

Monday 6.16

Bluegrass Collective | Silver Moon | 7 PM
Mason James | Bend Brewing | 6 PM 
Rich Swanger | On Tap | 6 PM

Tuesday 6.17

Movie Club & Guests | Silver Moon | 7 PM | Tickets

SUMMER SPOTLIGHT

Looking for some ways to keep the kids entertained this summer? We put together a post rounding up all the best play spots, summer camps (yep, there are still plenty of openings out there!), and other fun that will keep everyone’s sanity intact.

THANKS!

Stay cool, and thank you again for reading!

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