TOGETHER WITH

Good morning, Bend! There is no surer sign that the end of summer is drawing near than the return of fall signups for BPRD. We’ll be joining you all with coffee in hand at 6 AM tomorrow.

In today’s Bend Buzz:

Let’s get to it.

— Derek Carlson & Emily Elaro

Mark your calendar! Deschutes Public Library is commemorating the opening of the new Central Library on Saturday, August 15, from noon to 4:00 p.m. with a community celebration. Join in for an afternoon of art, culture, creativity, and family fun.

Enjoy presentations from 25th U.S. Poet Laureate Arthur Sze, Oregon Poet Laureate Ellen Waterston, our Indigenous Neighbor Nations, and the artists whose work brings the library to life, including MoWo, John Grade, and Jeremy Okai Davis.

There will also be live performances, MakerSpace activities, face painting, balloon artistry, a kite flying demonstration, food trucks, and more. The activities continue on Sunday, July 16, at 11:00 a.m. with a free screening of the documentary The Librarians, followed by a panel discussion about libraries and First Amendment rights. 

There’s something for all ages as we celebrate this exciting new chapter together! (Central Library | 61956 SE Santorini Street, Bend)

_{Interested in featuring your business in our next ad spot? ⬆️ Fill out THIS FORM!}

Tuesday morning is the day for parents across Bend to book those fall activities with Bend Park and Rec. Like last time, everything will be available on Tuesday at 6 AM sharp, including sports leagues, Wednesday enrichment, swim lessons, etc. So grab a cup of coffee and join us for some early morning fun!

The Bend Comedy Festival is back for year #2, and the full schedule and lineup are out. Headliners for the event include Geoffrey Asmus, Fahim Anwar, Cristina Mariani, and improv group ASSSSCAT. This year’s festival is taking place over Labor Day weekend (Sept 4-6), and all access passes and individual tickets are on sale now.

🐶 Ponch’s Place to pause tap room operations: We hinted at this last week, but were waiting for the official word to share it. Ponch’s Place will be pausing operations at its brick-and-mortar beverage pavilion on August 7th. The food carts will still be around (they currently are home to Pacific Roots Donuts, Tony’s Mexican Food, and Volcano Wings). Per the post, they are talking to new management to hopefully reopen the pavilion in the future.

🥟 Dump City Dumplings to close: Dump City Dumplings announced over the weekend that after a 17-year run, they will be closing their doors for good at the end of the month. So that means you still have 28 days to grab a dumpling or two before they’re gone for good! They have a going-away party and equipment sale in the works, and we’ll share those details when they become available.

📸 @_ashleyleavitt |📍 Three Sisters Wilderness
Tag @thebendbuzz to get your photos featured!

What If Your Next Cruise Was Built Around What You Love?

Imagine cycling Croatia's coastline, golfing Scotland's legendary links, or kayaking beside Alaska's glaciers—all from a boutique ship.

Hi, I'm Dana Cannon, a Bend-based Cruise-focused Travel Advisor specializing in ocean, river, small-ship, and expedition cruises. I help travelers find itineraries that match their interests, travel style, and budget—not just a destination. Whether you're dreaming of an active adventure, a cultural journey, or a relaxing escape, there's likely a cruise designed for you.

Many of the best 2027 (and 2028!) itineraries are already opening for reservations. Let's start planning your next adventure.

Learn more:
-Benefits of Booking with a Cruise Travel Advisor
-Dana Cannon Travel

🚶 Step Into Community: An eight-week walking program at the Central Library that will give you the tools you need to start your own walking group. 10 AM Central Library

📚 Kids' Silent Book Club: Kids read their own books in companionable silence at the Central Library. 2 PM Central Library

✍ Word-for-Word Writing Workshop: Head to Cafe des Chutes, where you can work on your writing and get some constructive feedback. 6 PM Cafe des Chutes

🤚 Bingo with Bren: Try out your bingo luck and raise some funds for a local non-profit while you’re at it. 6 PM Bevel Brewing

🇺🇸 America for the Americans: Join Seth Cotlar, Professor of History at Willamette University, for a discussion about the political, religious, and economic dynamics that produced the Know Nothing party of the antebellum era. 6 PM Central Library

🧵 Sew Club: Bring a project, meet some stitchers, and spend a Monday evening making something with your hands. 5:30 PM Freak'n Art

🌈 Queer Folk Night: Acoustic, intimate, and wonderfully queer with this folk music gathering at Almadorada. 7 PM Almadorada

🍳 Community Cooking Night: Head out to the farm, Seed to Table Farm, that is, where you will get a cooking demo from a local chef and a chance to tour the farm. 5 PM Seed to Table Farm

🤠 Boots & Brews: Put on those dancing boots for Worthy’s weekly line dance night. 6 PM Worthy Brewing

☮ Hanai Open House: Hanai is back with their monthly open house, where the space is yours to build community, work on an art project, or just sit in silence in their beautiful space. 4 PM Hanai

🧠 Trivia Tuesday: Put on your thinking caps and see if you can take home the title of trivia champ. 7:30 PM Mountain Burger

🥐 Bakery Run & Demo: Lace up those running shoes for a morning run with FootZone. Along the way, you’ll be stopping by local bakeries for a little mid-run fueling. 8 AM FootZone Bend

📚 Library @ Alfalfa Community Hall: The Deschutes Public Library brings books out to the Alfalfa community for a midday pop-up. 12 PM Alfalfa Community Hall

🧘 Buddhism, Nature, and Meditation: A thoughtful evening at the Central Library exploring the connections between Buddhist practice, the natural world, and meditation. 6 PM Central Library

Dad Religion | On Tap | 6 PM
Bad Nerves | Volcanic Theatre Pub Courtyard | 7 PM | Tickets
Bluegrass Collective | Silver Moon | 7 PM

Echo Chamber | Silver Moon | 6 PM | Tickets 
Automatic | Volcanic Theatre Pub | 8 PM | Tickets

Friday:

🎨 Sunriver Art Fair at The Village at Sunriver
🎉 First Friday at the Old Mill & Downtown Bend
😇 Angels in America at The Greenhouse Cabaret 
🚵 Northwest Cup Downhill Race at Mt. Bachelor

Saturday:

🍺 Pub Beer Cornhole Tourney at 10 Barrel Westside  
🏃 2026 Haulin Aspen at Wanoga Snow Park
🧑‍🌾 Art & Farm Life at Boundless Farmstead
🪑 Fifth Annual Antique Fair at Deschutes Historical Society  
🍜 Tomi Mart Matsuri at Tomi Mart
🤫 Don’t Tell Comedy Show at Location TBA

Sunday:

👖 Second Sunday Vintage Market at Gathered Wares 
📚 McMenamins Great Northwest Author Tour at McMenamins

Live Music:

Sarah McLachlan at Hayden Homes
Tedeschi Trucks Band at Hayden Homes 
Brooklyn Del & The Revelators at Silver Moon
The River Ramblers at Silver Moon
Gavin Adcock at Hayden Homes
Nick Shoulders at Volcanic Theatre Pub

Stay cool, and thank you again for reading!

Have an event you want to feature or want to advertise your business to our 18,000+ readers in Bend? Drop us a line here → [email protected]