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🚗 Where do we park now?

🚗 Where do we park now?

Pride weekend is here, First Friday is back, and a popular parking lot by the river closes

Derek Carlson
June 06, 2025

TOGETHER WITH

Good morning, Bend! Summer weather is arriving this weekend, so if you need me, I’ll be by the water. Any water will do.

In today’s Bend Buzz:

🍷 First Friday is back
🌈 Pride weekend is here
🅿️ A popular riverside parking lot closes

Let’s get to it.

— Emily Randolph & Derek Carlson

SNAPSHOTS

🚧 Popular river parking lot closes

We all know all too well how difficult it can be to find parking when you want to float the river on a warm July weekend, and unfortunately, that task just got a little tougher. The dirt parking lot at the corner of SW Columbia & Shevlin Hixon Dr (that's the one that always has a handful of semi trailers parked in the corner) has been shut down for good as the property is slated for development.

🎨 Sip and stroll at the June edition of First Friday

Grab a drink, take a stroll, and soak in the creative energy of downtown Bend and the Old Mill. Kick off the afternoon at the Old Mill, where, from 3 to 6 PM, you can wander through the galleries, sip on drinks, and peruse local art. From there, head downtown for more art, local wares, and a block party outside of The Commons where you can jam to music from the Leadbetter Band (6:30 - 8:30 PM).

🌈 Pride Weekend is here

In Wednesday’s edition of the Bend Buzz (it still feels weird to say that!), we published a full roundup of all the Pride weekend events happening around town. If you missed it, you can check out all the fabulous fun here.

BUSINESS HAPPENINGS

🍷 Amaterra winery opening this weekend: Remember when too-fancy-for-my-taste winery Domaine Serene abruptly shuttered their downtown Bend location a few months back? A new winery has opened in its place, as Amaterra Wines officially opens its doors to guests starting today. So swing by and let me know if this new spot vibes a little more with Bend’s style.

⚡️ T here’s a new way to get around town this summer: Need to get from Drake Park to the Box Factory this summer, but don’t want to hoof it? There’s a new business in town that’s here to solve that problem. Cruizzy is an electric ride service (think bigger, fancier golf carts), and they are kicking off the season with a launch party on Friday at 10 AM at The Commons Cafe. Here you can meet the crew, grab a card for a free ride, and check out their vehicles.

🛶 Come say hi to Elk Lake Resort’s new owners: Elk Lake Resort is opening the gates on Friday for day use. While the lodge itself won’t be open right away due to ongoing construction, they’ll be welcoming day-use guests who can lounge by the lake and enjoy food and drinks from the pizza stand.

🪷 Dear Mom Cafe celebrates two years: Dear Mom Cafe is celebrating their 2nd anniversary with a $30 all-you-can-eat party. The food lineup includes Thai BBQ, Thai mussels, pork sparerib curry, garden citrus salad, Thai veggie eggrolls, shrimp toast, pad see ew, Godmother’s spicy pad thai, and Signature Dear Mom yellow curry. There will also be wine pairings, music, and kids under 10 eat free! Sunday 12:30 - 4:30 PM

_{P.S. If you’re a Bend Buzz premium member, hit reply to this email and I’ll send you a discount code for the event!}

@THEBENDBUZZ

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LOCAL LOWDOWN

Friday 6.6

🎸 Alpenglow Nights: It’s time for week #2 of Alpenglow Nights. This special Friday edition (all the others are on Thursday evenings) will feature music from Pete Kartsounes and Precious Byrd. 5 - 8 PM Alpenglow Park

🌳 Somatic Nature Series: Start the day with movement, breath, and presence in the park. This somatic class blends mindfulness with nature connection, a calm way to ground before the weekend ramps up. 8 AM Juniper Park

📃 Enneagram 101: The Enneagram is all about figuring out what makes you tick. Join this beginner-friendly dive into the Enneagram to better understand yourself and the people around you. 9 AM East Bend Library

😆 The Crazy Happy Silly Funny Nerdy Show: A comedy-variety mashup that's as chaotic as it is hilarious. Think stand-up, improv, and maybe a kazoo solo or two. 7 PM Silver Moon

🎶 “Dosed” Silent Disco: Ditch the noise ordinances and dance in silence under the stars with a pair of glowing headphones. 8 PM Drop Thesis

Saturday 6.7

🐦 Bird + Coffee Walk: Meet other bird nerds for a slow-paced morning of feathered sightings and warm caffeine. Bring your binoculars! 9 AM Miller's Landing Park

👩‍🌾 Fill your garden: The Central Oregon Flower Collective is hosting their 2nd annual Fill Your Garden event at Pomegranate Home. There will be a plant sale, speakers, and more! 10 AM - 4 PM Pomegranate Home

🌿 Trail Improvement Project: Join the community in giving Shevlin Park's trails some TLC. Tools provided, good karma guaranteed. 9 AM Shevlin Park

🌻 Big Summit Prairie Field Trip: Get outta town and into wildflower wonderland. This guided field trip departs from Prineville and takes you through one of Oregon’s botanical gems. 8:30 AM Meet in Prineville

🏠 Bend Handmade Market: This carefully curated artisan market brings together over 50 local makers with handcrafted goods, art, jewelry, and snacks to keep you browsing for hours. 10 AM Downtown Bend

🎈 Bevel’s 6th Anniversary Bash: Celebrate six years of craft beer greatness with live music, food trucks, flash tattoos, and plenty of IPAs. Family-friendly until sundown. 12 - 9 PM Bevel Brewing

🌿 Summer Pop-Up Market: Sip a cold brew while shopping local artists and creatives. Pop by in between all the Saturday festivities! 1 - 5 PM Thump Coffee Downtown

🍇 Oregon Gin Festival: Spirits lovers, rejoice! Taste from Oregon's best distillers while enjoying music, bites, and summer sunshine. 3 - 7 PM Oregon Spirit Distillers

🦋 Butterfly release memorial: Join Bristol Hospice at their 3rd annual butterfly release event to memorialize loved ones lost over the past year. 12 PM Riverbend Park

Sunday 6.8

🪖 Outdoor Gear Swap: Find that next piece of gear or offload what you no longer use. Community-powered sustainability for the win. 9 AM Vamonos Outside

✨ Nature’s Bling 6-Year Anniversary Market: Celebrate Nature’s Bling with a crystal-lover’s dream market, live demos, and local makers galore. 10 AM Nature’s Bling

🌿 9th Street Village Makers Market: More local goods, more good times. This lively outdoor market has everything from ceramics to candles. 12 PM Bevel Brewing

📖 Silent Book Club: Show up, order a drink, and read in silence among fellow book lovers. Zero pressure, maximum coziness. 6 PM The Cellar

🎤 The Dollop Podcast Live: History + comedy = chaos. Don’t miss this hilarious live recording of The Dollop, packed with wild true stories and big laughs. 7:30 PM Tower Theatre

UPCOMING EVENTS

🍽️ Summer Family Cooking Classes*: Hanai is hosting summer cooking classes that are fun for the whole family! Here you (and your little ones) can get hands-on practice with new and healthy recipes that the whole family can help create. The July 26th class will feature black bean & sweet potato burgers and elote, and the August 10th class will be all about dips featuring tzatziki, ranch, and more. July 26th @ 11 AM & August 10th @ 10:30 AM Hanai (Sign up by June 18th and receive an early bird discount with the code EARLYBIRD)

_{*indicates paid advertising content. Want to see your upcoming event featured here? Fill out}_{THIS FORM}_!

LIVE MUSIC

Friday 6.6

Saturday 6.7

Sunday 6.8

THANKS!

Stay cool, and thank you again for reading!

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🚗 Where do we park now?

Pride weekend is here, First Friday is back, and a popular parking lot by the river closes

SPONSORED BY JUNIPER DERMATOLOGY

SNAPSHOTS

🚧 Popular river parking lot closes

🎨 Sip and stroll at the June edition of First Friday

🌈 Pride Weekend is here

BUSINESS HAPPENINGS

@THEBENDBUZZ

TOGETHER WITH TRU NORTH FITNESS

LOCAL LOWDOWN

Friday 6.6

Saturday 6.7

Sunday 6.8

UPCOMING EVENTS

LIVE MUSIC

Friday 6.6

Saturday 6.7

Sunday 6.8

THANKS!