🍔 The best burger in Bend

TOGETHER WITH

Good morning, Bend! Thanks to everyone who put in their guesses over on Instagram for the date and time we’ll hit 10,000 subscribers. As of right now, we’re only 74 away, so I’m guessing we’ll hit that milestone sometime over the weekend!

In today’s Bend Buzz:

• 🎸 Homegrown Music Fest takes center stage

• 🗻 RendezVan brings van life to the slopes

• 🍔 The burger competition results are in

Let’s get to it.

— Derek Carlson

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SNAPSHOTS

🍔 The results are in for the best burger in Bend

After consuming way too many calories and even making the bold decision to make my way out of the house after 8 PM (it turns out getting a seat at RBC is tougher than I realized), the results for the best burger in Bend are in. Keep in mind that this ranking is entirely subjective, so don’t yell at me if your favorite didn’t win.

Best Smash Burger: Americana - The O.G. (nearly 70% of the initial respondents voted for Americana, so no surprise here)

Best Traditional Burger: Rancher Butcher Chef - Bistro Burger (this burger is an indulgence, and priced like one, but if you can get a table, it’s a must-try)

Best Overall Burger: Americana - The O.G. (both a delicious burger and a sweet deal at only $8)

Honorable mentions: Blue Eyes, Willieburger, and Bend Burger Co

🎸 Homegrown Music Festival takes over the stage(s)

Homegrown Music Fest is a weekend-long celebration of all things local music and cannabis culture. Silver Moon Brewing keeps the tunes flowing during the day, and then the Domino Room takes over for the late-night jams. One ticket gets you access to every band, all weekend long.

BUSINESS HAPPENINGS

🍺 Funky Fauna is back open for business: Funky Fauna, the previously Sisters-based farmhouse ale brewery, has completed their transformation of the former Humm Kombucha space and are throwing open their doors on Saturday with a grand opening celebration. Joining the fun at the new brewery space is A Broken Angel, the vegan food cart that had previously set up shop at The Pantry. Saturday 11 AM - 8 PM

🏋️ Foundation Health & Fitness one-year anniversary party: Foundation Health & Fitness is celebrating their one-year anniversary on Friday with a block party and free wellness screenings. The wellness screenings take place from 6 AM - 1 PM, and the block party, which includes a DJ, games, food and drink, and more, goes from 2 - 5 PM.

@THEBENDBUZZ

📸 @bendurbangardens |📍Bend Urban Gardens
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TOGETHER WITH EDGE LANDSCAPING

🌱 Spring has officially sprung in Bend—but is your lawn still looking a little... sad? Ours sure is 😬 

Now’s the time to start thinking about your lawn care needs—fertilizing, cleanups, sprinkler startups, dethatching, aeration, and all the things that get your yard ready for summer. Because let’s be honest, do you really want to spend your weekends doing all that?

Edge Landscaping has you covered from spring startup to summer maintenance (mowing, trimming, fertilizing—the works) all the way through fall cleanup.

They only have room for 11 more clients for this season, so sign up now and get 5% off for the life of your contract. Let Edge handle the yard work—you’ve got better things to do.

LOCAL LOWDOWN

Friday 4.18

🐰 Easter toddler time: Bring your little ones (6 and under) to Cascade Indoor Sports for an easter egg hunt, photo opportunities with the easter bunny, balloon art, and more! 9 AM - 12 PM Cascade Indoor Sports

🥚 Easter toddler time x2: If one easter egg hunt isn't enough, how about two!? Free Spirit Yoga & Ninja Gym is also hosting an event for the little ones that includes a visit from the easter bunny, hidden eggs, and plenty of fun. 9 AM - 3 PM Free Spirit Yoga

🌹 Funktasia with Bend Burlesque: Get funky with Funktasia from the Bend Burlesque Company. Expect an evening of aerialist acts, pole performances, singing, dancing, a trippy light show, and costumes straight out of a fantasy world. 8 PM Volcanic Theatre Pub

🏔️ RendezVan at Bachelor: Vanlifers (and weekend warriors) unite at Mt. Bachelor for RendezVan. Even if you don't have a van, you can still head up for the festivities that include spring riding, live music, and plenty of food and drinks. Fri - Sun Mt. Bachelor

🦋 Milkweed seed mailing party: Help the monarch butterflies find a happy place to lay their eggs by volunteering with the Deschutes Land Trust at their milkweed seed mailing party. Families are welcome! 10 AM - 12 PM Location TBA

🌎️ Earth Day fashion show: Come watch local models strut their stuff at the Earth Day fashion show at COCC. The event serves as a fundraiser for Clothing Connection, a program that provides students at COCC and OSU-Cascades with free clothes for interviews, work, field placements, etc. 4:30 - 7 PM COCC

Saturday 4.19 (There’s A LOT happening today)

🌷 Spring fling party: Kick off the arrival of spring at the 6th annual Spring Fling party at Boss Rambler Beer Club. Come for the live music and stay for the jello shots. 12 - 10 PM Boss Rambler Beer Club

🌲 Playscape Party: Come check out the brand-new playscape playground at the High Desert Museum. Kick off the party by exploring the giant pinecone play structure and then make your own pinecone art project. 10 AM - 12 PM High Desert Museum

🥒 Pickleball Club season opener: Join the Bend Pickleball Club at their season opener at Pine Nursery Park. There will be coffee and treats, rating evaluations, a meet and greet, and plenty more to help immerse you in the exciting world of pickleball! 9 AM - 12 PM Pine Nursery Pickleball Courts

🐝 Container gardening for pollinators: Get your garden ready for summer and for visiting pollinators with this short class at Moonfire and Sun Garden Center. 10 - 11 AM Moonfire & Sun Garden Center

🐟️ Salmon run: It's race season in the high desert, and this week's pick is the Salmon Run. Select from the Little Fry kids run up to the half marathon that takes you along a mix of trails and pavement. 9 AM Riverbend Park

🖌️ Ukrainian Pysanka Workshop: Step into a world of color, tradition, and creativity as you and your children explore pysanka—the traditional Ukrainian art of decorating Easter eggs. 3 - 5 PM The Workhouse

🦆 Duck nest restoration: Join volunteers from the local Boy Scouts and Ducks Unlimited as they refresh the mallard nesting boxes along the Deschutes. The project runs from 10 AM - 1 PM and meets in the parking lot next to Tumalo Creek Kayak & Canoe. 10 AM - 1 PM Tumalo Creek Kayak & Canoe

🌮 El Sancho x Dump City block party: El Sancho & Dump City Dumplings are teaming up for a 4/20 block party. The event will feature live music, munchies, cocktails, vendors, and more. 4 - 9 PM El Sancho & Dump City Dumplings parking lots

🍻 Saisons on the lawn: Crux Fermentation Project is bringing together a collection of saisons from local breweries for a day in the sun on the lawn. Welcome to spring! 12 - 4 PM Crux

🚲️ Bikes and pints: Join the crew from Bend Bikes for another bikes and pints night. This month’s destination is Bevel Craft Brewing. Just look for the crew wearing helmets. 4 PM Bevel Craft Brewing

🤣 Just roll with it: Celebrate 4/20 weekend with the highest stand-up comedy night in town. The Capitol will be hosting a blazing night of fun with an A+ lineup of comedians from near and far. 7 PM The Capitol

Sunday 4.20

👕 Rythmatix Party: Head to Spork for a pop-up party for Rythmatix, a Portland-based apparel company celebrating art and rhythm. Spork will be providing drinks and snacks. 5 - 9 PM Spork

⁉️ Headgames trivia: Swing by the Commonwealth Pub for an evening of trivia with Headgames Trivia. 6 - 8 PM Commonwealth Pub

🥚 Easter egg hunt at Juniper: Bring the little ones to Juniper Park, where they can hunt for easter eggs hidden by volunteers and the Bend Elks Lodge. 9 AM Juniper Park

🌽 Cornhole at 10 Barrel: Put your cornhole skills to the test with this $10 competition at 10 Barrel West. 12 - 3 PM 10 Barrel West

Easter Event Roundup

Want the full roundup of easter egg hunts, crafts, and bunny appearances around town? Check out this post for all the details.

LIVE MUSIC

Check the schedules above for the full Homegrown Music Fest lineup.

Friday 4.18

Cheyenne West Band | Wildwood Bar & Grill | 7 PM
Paper Idol | Mt. Bachelor | 6:30 PM
High Step Society | Mt. Bachelor | 4:30 PM
Neave Trio HDCM Concert | Unitarian Universalist Fellowship | 7:30 PM | Tickets
Heller Highwater Trio | Hawkeye & Huckleberry Lounge | 8:30 PM
Jeff Crosby | Roundabout Books | 7 PM | Tickets
Ben Johnson | Bend Cider Co | 6 PM
Ghost of Brian Craig | Ponch’s Place | 6 PM

Saturday 4.19

Dave LiaBraaten | Bridge 99 Brewery | 6:30 PM
The Record Company | Mt. Bachelor | 6:30 PM
Mihali | Mt. Bachelor | 4:30 PM
Grand Royale - Tribute to the Beastie Boys | Volcanic Theatre Pub | 8 PM | Tickets
BB Lake | Commonwealth Pub | 8 PM
Ryan Charles | The Cricket | 8 PM | Tickets
The Bangers | M&J Tavern | 9 PM
Shine | Wildwood Bar & Gril | 7 PM
Desert Wheelhouse | Crux | 2 PM
Doc Martin + Michael Manahan | Campfire Hotel & Dogwood | 3 PM | Tickets
Son Ravello | Portello Wine & Spirits | 7 PM

Sunday 4.20

Bim Jeam & The Sadness | River’s Place | 5 PM
Fluffalove | Currents at the Riverhouse 11 AM

LET’S HANG OUT!

We’ve got two events/get-togethers in the works for May. Exact dates and locations are still TBD, but if you’re interested in either, please let me know below!

The first will be a meetup for remote workers/work-from-home folks who want to talk work/life balance and build more IRL connections.

The second is a low-key, community potluck. The intent of this get-together is to make some tasty food and get to know other folks in the community a bit better. If anyone has a location (preferably outside) that could seat 25-ish people, hit reply to this email and let me know! I’d love to keep this a free, recurring event that can run through the summer.

THANKS!

Stay warm in the morning and cool in the afternoon, and thank you again for reading!

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