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🚧 Olney Ave has a reopen date

🚧 Olney Ave has a reopen date

Olney Ave has a reopen date, closures at the downtown library, and your Bend summer camp guide

Derek Carlson
February 02, 2026

TOGETHER WITH

Good morning, Bend! It’s feeling a little summery out there, so I figured today would be a good day to drop this year’s summer camp guide.

In today’s Bend Buzz:

🚧 Olney Ave has a reopen date
🛑 Closures at the downtown library
🏕️ Bend summer camp guide

Let’s get to it.

— Derek Carlson & Emily Elaro

SNAPSHOTS

🏕️ Our Summer Camp Guide for 2026 is Live

Last year, we realized there was no good place to find all the summer camps happening around Bend, so we took it upon ourselves to create one. And now it’s time again to publish the 2026 version of the guide. As of right now, I’d guess that around half the camps are open for signups, with a lot more opening up in the coming month or two. This guide will be a living document that I’ll update and share more throughout the spring to keep you all up-to-date on what’s open. Some big ones to note at the moment are the High Desert Museum lottery closes today, and Operation Recreation will open for signups in mid-March. You can check out the guide here.

🚧 Olney Ave has a Reopening Date

A few weeks ago, we shared that construction along Olney Ave between Wall and NE 3rd St should finish up sometime in February. Well, now we have an actual planned completion date of…(drumroll please)…February 11th. It feels like a lot of road construction projects around town have been finishing on time or ahead of schedule lately, so I guess we were due for a delay (this one came in at four months over schedule).

🛣️ Bear Creek Road Closing for 2 months

More road news because I know that’s why you’re all here. Bear Creek Rd between SE 27th and Ward Rd will be closed for approximately two months for construction starting today, February 2nd! The city is asking that folks detour around the closure using Highway 20.

📕 The 2nd floor of the Downtown Library Closes

These next few months are gonna be a bit tough for library users as the downtown library is preparing for a major overhaul, yet the new Central Library at Stevens Ranch won’t be open until later this spring. The first phase of that overhaul takes place today as the second floor of the downtown library is now closed. Here are the impacts from that closure and projected timelines for the next few months.

February 2, 2026: Second floor closes to the public  
February 2 - March 7, 2026: Resources and services available on the first floor include the children’s area, materials return and holds pick-up, self-check kiosks, copier/printer access, and limited computer access. There will be a small browsing collection, including new and hot adult titles.
March 8 – April 10, 2026: Library services available on the first floor include materials return and holds pick-up, self-check kiosks, copier/printer access, and limited computer access. There will be a small browsing collection of new and hot adult titles.
April 11, 2026: Downtown Bend Library temporarily closed for remodel
April 2026*: Drive-thru service begins at the Central Library at Stevens Ranch
Spring 2026*: Central Library at Stevens Ranch fully opens to the public
Spring 2027*: Downtown Bend Library re-opens to the public

*Note that dates are estimates

BUSINESS HAPPENINGS

🛝 Play Society closing in March: Another not-so-fun business update, as Play Society announced on Instagram that they will be closing for open play on March 27th. They will remain open after that date for birthday parties and private play date bookings as they navigate either selling the business or closing down for good.

🏨 LOGE closing?: File this one under more info to come, but it’s looking like another local hotel is either changing hands or closing. A post on the Bend Reddit noted that the Bend LOGE location has been removed from the LOGE website, and the option to book a stay is no longer available. Hopefully, we’ll have more soon on their future and if there is any impact to COG Wild.

@THEBENDBUZZ

📸 @tumalolavender |📍Tumalo Lavender
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TOGETHER WITH OUTSIDE THE BUSY MIND TRAVEL

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If you want travel to feel easier, calmer, and better planned, letting Dana handle the details is a great place to start.

→ What’s New in Cruise Travel for 2026

LOCAL LOWDOWN

Monday 2.2

🚶‍♂️ Founders Walk Club: Own a business or just have that entrepreneurial spirit and need an excuse to get out from behind your laptop for a bit? Join local entrepreneurs and business owners for a 2.5-mile walk followed by a chat over coffee. 9 AM Sisters Coffee (Old Mill)

🥔 National Tater Tot Day: A holiday we can all get behind. Celebrate the mighty tot in all its crispy glory with specials and snacks worthy of a midday indulgence. Come hungry, leave happy! 11 AM McMenamins

🪐 Natural History Pub: The Early Universe: Science, but make it bar-friendly. This engaging talk dives into the origins of the universe—perfect for curious minds who like their cosmic knowledge served with a pint. 7 PM McMenamins

🍷 Monday Wine Down: Ease into the week with discounted pours and a laid-back atmosphere. Ideal for post-work hangs, casual catch-ups, or pretending Monday isn’t Monday. 4 PM Portello Lounge

🎤 Sing Your Face Off: No judgment, just vibes. Grab the mic, cheer on brave singers, or belt out your favorite guilty-pleasure anthem. Whether you’re pitch-perfect or just wildly confident, you’ll fit right in. 6 PM UPP Liquids

🗣️ Multilingual Monday: Put your multilingual language skills to the test (in a low-pressure environment) at the Bend Language Institute’s multilingual meetup. 5:30 PM Broken Top Bottle Shop

Tuesday 2.3

🧗🏾 BIPOC Climb Night: An inclusive climbing night centered on community, connection, and movement. Open to all skill levels, with a welcoming space to climb, socialize, and build representation in the gym. 6 PM Bend Rock Gym

📚 Ladies Book Swap & Meet-Up: Bring a book you loved (or didn’t) and leave with something new. This relaxed meet-up is part literary exchange, part social hour—perfect for making friends who also dog-ear pages. 6:15 PM Dogwood at the Pine Shed

🎸 International Guitar Night: A global showcase of master guitarists spanning styles, cultures, and techniques. Expect jaw-dropping skill, intimate acoustics, and a night that’s as impressive as it is transportive. 7:30 PM Tower Theatre

👢 Boots & Brews: Dust off those boots and head to Worthy for a night of dancing, drinks, and country-inspired fun. Even if you don’t dance, the people-watching alone is worth it. 6:30 PM Worthy Brewing

🍵 Lunch & Learn: Tea Strainers from Around the World: A midday cultural deep dive into the art and history of tea strainers across the globe. Bring your lunch, sip something warm, and learn something unexpectedly delightful. 12 PM Larkspur Community Center

✂️ Gather for Good: I think we could all use a little community these days, and Gathered Wares is offering just that. Bring a friend, a craft, or whatever feels good, and enjoy an hour or two of community time. 12 PM Gathered Wares

✏️ Urban Sketchers Night Out: Join Urban Sketchers at the Open Arts Center art night. It’s a great way to meet other artists and sketch a new environment. 6 PM Open Arts Center

☕️ Coffee & Clarity: Come for coffee. Leave with clarity, connection, and momentum. Join Kristen Hinman for a no-pressure morning of coffee and connection with a great group of ladies. 8:30 AM Thump Coffee at The Grove

🧠 Trivia Tuesdays: Put on those thinking caps and see if your team can take home the trivia title. 7 PM Bunk + Brew

LIVE MUSIC

Monday 2.2

Bluegrass Collective | Silver Moon | 7 PM

Tuesday 2.3

WEEKEND PREVIEW

🎭Friday kicks things off with creative flair and full-on drama. Get spicy at part two of the Naughty Valentine’s Pottery Workshop, grab some inspiration at Mountainfilm on Tour, or go full regency romance at La Bon Burlesque: Bridgerton Ball (corsets encouraged, probably). Prefer laughs and low-key hangs? Hit Community Happy Hour at Dogwood or catch Next Stop Comedy at Bridge 99.

🛍️Saturday is for lovers, locals, and day-drinking-with-purpose. Start early with a Beginner’s Beekeeping Course, sample some tasty soups at HDFFA’s SOUPer Bowl, then shop small at one of many love-themed markets—from Love & Local Makers to the Galentine’s Sip & Shop and Valentine’s Moonlight Market. Evening brings games and glow-ups with Bunco Blitz, comedy from Eleanore Ryan, and a dance-it-out finish at Dogwood’s anniversary party, Disco Disco!

🏈It’s game day, baby! Whether you’re here for football, food, or funny commercials, Bend’s got you covered. Choose your vibe: All-You-Can-Eat Super Bowl Party at The Hideaway, Super Bowl Party at Volcanic, BORN Super Bowl Fiesta at UPP Liquids, or the delightfully unhinged Superb Owl Game Day at McMenamins. Want something different? Catch Ticket to the Game at Currents for a playful, interactive twist.

🎶Bend’s stages are busy all weekend with something for every sound and mood. Friday kicks off with Dive Bar Theology, soulful grooves from the Maria Jackson Band, and heavier energy with Nerve Damage, Gathering, Damage Overdose & SPINA. Saturday turns things up with funk and soul from The Gold Souls & Funk Around and Find Out, nostalgic sing-alongs with That 90’s Band (Unplugged), and bluesy goodness from Thomas T & the Bluechips. From dance floors to listening rooms, this weekend’s soundtrack is loud, diverse, and very Bend.

THANKS!

Stay warm, and thank you again for reading!

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🚧 Olney Ave has a reopen date