Good morning, Bend. Welcome to the inaugural edition of the Bend Buzz. Your local source for daily news and events happening around the high desert. Grab your favorite inner tube and float along as we look at what’s new this holiday week.

In today’s Bend Buzz:

• 4th of July Incoming 🇺🇸

• Get those pet Costumes Ready 🐩

• New Wave of Restaurants 🍽️

Time to get started.

— Derek Carlson

SNAPSHOTS

The Summer Can Officially Begin

The arrival of the 4th of July means summer can officially start here in the high desert. So, if you’ve still got tomato plants hanging out on the window sill, feel confident that our nights will remain frost-free from here on out. Hail storms, on the other hand…

Break Out Those Pet Costumes

🎉 The Bend Pet Parade is celebrating its 100-year anniversary this year 🎉 Make it the best one yet by dressing up your dog, snake, pony, or gerbil, and meet at Harmon Park to grab your spot in line. We don’t blame you if watching from the sidelines is more your style. We’ll be set up along Newport, so stop by and say hi 👋

Goodbye Traffic Lights

Highway 97 North has officially shifted to its new traffic light-free alignment on the north end of town. However, this hasn’t been without its headaches, as there are no longer northbound exits to turn into the Cascade Village shopping areas. So, if you’re headed that way to grab a cake pop and wander the aisles at Target, make sure to hop on the Highway 20 exit and enter on Robal Ln.

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📸 @roamthenorthwest | 📍Boyd Cave

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BUSINESS HAPPENINGS

New Spots Around Town to Grab Dinner and a Drink 🍻

We saw two hotly anticipated restaurants open their doors in recent weeks. Who says dining out is dead?

🍺 Bar RBC: The uber-popular steakhouse Ranch Butcher Chef has quickly expanded into the downtown dining scene with Bar RBC. The bar’s Spanish tapas menu should be exciting for anyone familiar with the owner's former restaurant empire in Portland. 147 NW Minnesota Ave, Bend, OR 97701

🤠 Hawkeye & Huckleberry: Celebrity chef Brian Malarkey is making his triumphant return to Central Oregon with Hawkeye & Huckleberry. This modern cowboy steakhouse landed in the space formally occupied by Walt Reilly's on Bend’s west side. 225 SW Century Dr #1052, Bend, OR 97702

🤝 Ale Apothecary Changing Hands: Fans of wild beers can rejoice in knowing that Bend's Ale Apothecary will live on. Brewmaster and owner Paul Arney has sold the business to the former owners of Wolf Tree Brewery, Joe Hitselberger and Taryn Arvold. 30 SW Century Dr #140, Bend, OR 97702

📚Support Local and Save Big: Stock up for those long winter days of reading by the fire with the BIG STORY SALE at the Big Story Bookstore. Come in any day this week until July 5th between 3 - 6 PM for Buy 2, Get 1 Free on all books, movies, vinyl, and merch. 228 NE Greenwood Ave A, Bend, OR 97701

LOCAL LOWDOWN

Tuesday

🌱 Beer & Blooms: Get your hands dirty and enjoy a cold beverage with happy hour at the Bend Environmental Center. Enjoy a cold one with friends as you help maintain their learning garden. Beverages and gardening tools are provided. 4 - 6 PM 16 NW Kansas Avenue Bend, OR 97703

🎈Central District Block Party: Get the holiday week kicked off right with the Bend Central District block party. There will be FREE food from Taco Salsa, axe throwing, and music from the Cascade School of Music. 4 - 6 PM 510 NE 3rd Street

Wednesday

🧑‍🌾 Bend Farmers Market: Summer is in full swing, so help support your local growers, bakers, and makers by picking up some fresh produce, bread, and honey at the downtown farmers market. 11 AM - 3 PM Brooks Alley

4th of July Festivities

Thursday

🐕 Bend Pet Parade: Take part in Bend’s 100-year-old tradition of dressing up your pet and parading them through downtown to the delight of thousands. 10 AM Downtown Bend

🎷 Munch & Music: One of Bend’s most popular events kicks off for another season in Drake Park and will run every Thursday through August 8th. Browse local artisan wares, hop on the bouncy house, or grab a cold one and sit back to take in the tunes of Ron Artis II. 5:30 - 9 PM Drake Park

🎆  Pilot Butte Fireworks: Fireworks on the butte are back! Set up shop at your favorite park or parking lot around Pilot Butte and watch Bend’s best fireworks show. 10 PM

LIVE MUSIC

Wednesday

McMenamins | Eric Leadbetter Band | 6 PM
Juniper Preserve | Bobby Lindstrom | 6 - 8 PM
Bevel Brewing | Souljers Rising | 6 - 8 PM
Silver Moon Brewing | Dadwood & Redwood Revue | 7 - 10 PM | Tickets

Thursday

The Cellar | Irish Trad Music | 6 - 8 PM
Munch & Music | Ron Artis II | 5:30 - 9 PM
Silver Moon Brewing | Proud Mary | 7 - 11 PM | Tickets
Caldera High School | South Fourth | 3 - 5 PM
Worthy Brewing | Call Down Thunder | 5:30 - 10 PM

BEND ADVENTURE GUIDE

Hit the Trails ⛰️

Mountain biking season is in full swing with most of the area’s trails open for riding and Mt. Bachelor’s downhill bike park up and running. If you want to explore new dirt and make some friends, here are this week’s group rides.

🚴 Between Evergreens: All abilities welcome! Meet at 5 PM and ride at 5:30 | reserve your spot here

⛷️ Meissner Nordic Wants to Hear from You: Meissner Nordic (the amazing team behind the world-class nordic grooming at Virginia Meissner Sno-Park) received a grant to help subsidize the cost of daily bus service from Bend to the Meissner and Swampy Sno-Parks. They want to hear from you to know how to best put those funds to use → Fill out the survey here

THANKS!

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