🍩 New spot for fresh donuts

TOGETHER WITH

Good morning, Bend! Well, this has been quite the week as I managed to catch the flu (turns out it’s going around). If you’re waiting to hear back from me on an email, DM, or voicemail, I promise to be all caught up here soon! I hope everyone manages to stay healthy out there 🤒 

In today’s Bend Buzz:

• 🎸 Fairwell Festival is out

• 🍩 New donut cart opens at Ponch’s Place

• 📆 Your weekend event lineup

Let’s get to it.

— Derek Carlson & Emily Elaro 

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SNAPSHOTS

👩‍💼 Visit Bend Recruiting New Board Members

Want to help shape the vision for Visit Bend in the years to come? They are seeking applications for four open positions on their board of directors. The board terms are for three years, and meetings happen every other month. You can learn more about the board and how to apply here.

🪩 Fairwell Festival Out for 2026

We had heard some rumblings in the background for a bit, but now it’s officially official. The Fairwell Festival will not be returning to Central Oregon in 2026. No details as to why or if they plan on returning in 2027 were given in the short note posted to their website.

🏕️ 2026 Summer Camp Guide

It’s only the middle of January, yet somehow it’s already time to start planning out your summer camp logistics (note from a fellow parent: uggggggggggggg). Last year, we put out a mega list of every single summer camp option that we could find in Central Oregon, and this year we’ll be doing the same. If you’re hosting camps this summer and want to make sure they’re included, then feel free to hit reply to this email or shoot me a note at [email protected]. The full guide should hopefully be going out in the next couple of weeks (that darn flu thing set my timeline back a touch).

BUSINESS HAPPENINGS

🍩 New donut & coffee cart opens at Ponch’s Place: Ponch’s Place has a new food cart, and it’s a good one for folks who like a sweet treat in the morning (or after lunch). Pacific Roots is now open and serving up freshly-made mini donuts and coffee Thursday - Monday from 7 AM to 3 PM. This spot might be dangerous, being so close to home…

💅 The Bend Beauty Nook opens in downtown Bend: File this one away under better late than never. Bend Buzz reader (and permanent makeup artist at the Bend Beauty Nook) Maddy clued me in on this news that has slipped under my radar.

The Bend Beauty Nook opened in downtown Bend in November, bringing a boutique, low-odor nail and skincare studio focused on quality, education, and personalized care. The space is home to a small team of nail techs, estheticians, and a permanent makeup artist offering everything from gel manicures and custom facials to brows, lashes, and permanent makeup in a calm, modern setting.

@THEBENDBUZZ

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LOCAL LOWDOWN

Friday 1.16

🧠 Dirty Minds Trivia: Roast of 2025: Close out the year with zero filter. Expect spicy questions, savage laughs, and a roast-worthy sendoff that’s definitely not PG. 7 PM Craft Kitchen

✂️ The Art of Tea: Iris Folding Paper Creations: Slow down with tea and paper art. Learn the intricate (and oddly soothing) technique of iris folding in this cozy, creative afternoon workshop. 2 PM Rosie Bareis Community Campus

🛹 Stop Motion: Finger Skateboard Edition: Tiny boards, big imagination. A playful intro to stop-motion animation using finger skateboards—perfect for creative minds of all ages. 5 PM Stellar Jay Creative

🎸 Open Jam: Bring an instrument or just the vibes. This laid-back jam session welcomes all skill levels for a night of spontaneous music-making. 7 PM Silver Moon

🕰️ Vintage Rendezvous: A stylish meetup celebrating vintage flair, good drinks, and community hangs. Come browse, sip, and soak up retro vibes. 4 PM Crux

🧘‍♀️ Returning to Center: A grounding pause before the weekend. This gentle session focuses on mindfulness, reflection, and reconnecting with yourself. 5 PM Pine & Prism

❄️ Snowflakes & Storytime: Bundle up for winter stories in the snow. A magical, outdoor storytime designed for kids—and adults who love cozy, cold-weather fun. 4:30 PM Skyliner Sno-Park

🏒 Bend Classic: I hope you all took me seriously when I said these games would sell out fast! Managed to grab a ticket? Today’s the day (tomorrow as well) to catch some collegiate hockey action at The Pavilion. 7 PM The Pavilion

🔈️ Our House: Join DJ Heather at The Capitol for a night of house music and dancing at this all black attire event. 9 PM The Capitol

Saturday 1.17

💍 Cascades Wedding Show: From florals to fashion, this is wedding inspo central. Perfect for engaged couples—or anyone who loves a good event setup. 10 AM Riverhouse Lodge

🐈‍⬛ Cats on Mats: Join Playful Paws Cat Cafe for a kitty-friendly morning of stretching and meditation. 9:30 AM Playful Paws Cat Cafe

🌕 Community Moon Gathering: Slow down under lunar energy. Expect intention-setting, gentle movement, and community connection in a calming space. 7 PM Bend Yoga Center

⚙️ Children’s Museum Popup: The Central Oregon Children’s Museum is bringing their full lineup of exhibits to the Deschutes County Expo Center for a weekend of fun. 9 AM - 3 PM Sat & Sun at Deschutes County Expo Center

🎤 Adam Carolla: The comedian and podcast icon brings sharp wit, bold takes, and classic Carolla humor to Bend for one big laugh-filled night. 7 PM Midtown Ballroom

🐦 Bend Bird Club Walk: Grab your best birding ‘nocs (those are binoculars for you non-birders out there) and make your way to Miller’s Landing park for coffee and bird walk. 9 AM Miller’s Landing

🕯️ January Luminaria: Ski or snowshoe by candlelight along glowing winter trails. The most magical way to experience Bachelor after dark. 5 PM Mt Bachelor Nordic Center

🔍 Scavenger Hunt & Registration Event: Get moving and get signed up. A fun community scavenger hunt paired with event registration and social vibes. 10 AM FootZone Bend

Sunday 1.18

🎿 Sunday Night Glide: End the weekend gliding under the stars. This relaxed group Nordic ski includes free rentals and a welcoming, no-pressure vibe. 6 PM Meissner Sno-Park

😂 Comedy Night: Steven Farmer: Wrap up Sunday with laughs and good brews. Steven Farmer delivers sharp, relatable stand-up in an intimate setting. 7 PM The Barrel Room

🧘 Reclaim Your Wholeness Workshop: Step into the New Year with purpose and intention. Join certified Warrior Goddess facilitator Madrone Kalil for an inspirational, experiential workshop on living from your essence rather than from your fear. 1 PM Hanai

🎨 Natural & Botanical Dyes Workshop: Learn how to turn plants into color. This hands-on workshop explores natural dye techniques rooted in ecology and creativity. 10 AM Nighthawk Naturalist School

🌄 Sunset Snowshoe Tour: Chase golden hour on snowshoes. A guided tour through quiet trails with stunning Cascade views as the sun goes down. 3:30 PM Mt Bachelor Nordic Center

💛 Mom-Friend Speed Dating: Making mom friends shouldn’t be harder than parenting. Grab a drink, rotate through quick convos, and leave with new connections (and maybe a future playground buddy).  4 PM Bevel Brewing

LIVE MUSIC

Friday 1.16

Eric Leadbetter | Ponch’s Place | 6 PM
Switchback | Silver Moon | 7 PM | Tickets
The Traveling Wilbury’s Review | Tower Theatre | 7:30 PM | Tickets
Blues Benders | The Commonwealth Pub | 8 PM
Wrangler | Hawkeye & Huckleberry | 8 PM

Saturday 1.17

Paul Eddy | Austin Mercantile | 5 PM
Zoinks! | The Capitol | 6 PM
Piña Colada | Portello Lounge | 6:30 PM
DFI | Silver Moon | 7 PM | Tickets
Ron Artis II with Cousin Curtiss | Tower Theatre | 7:30 PM | Tickets
Cheyenne West Band | The Commonwealth Pub | 8 PM
Diamond Saints | Volcanic Theater Pub | 8 PM | Tickets
Dad Bods | Northside Bar & Grill | 8 PM

Sunday 1.18

Talamh Dubh | The Commonwealth Pub | 4 PM
Eric Leadbetter | River’s Place | 5 PM
Keller Williams | Tower Theatre | 7:30 PM | Tickets

THANKS!

Stay warm, and thank you again for reading!

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