Friday, June 19 – Sunday, June 22
What the Festival (WTF)
Can’t make it to Burning Man? A close second, WTF is an eclectic blend of music, movement, performance, and visual art—all with an emphasis on high quality and free-flowing creativity. WTF earns its moniker in the best possible way. And if you work up a sweat after practicing your newly discovered breakdancing skills to the beats of world class DJs, the fest features the world’s largest temporary wading pool (also, tangentially: the largest disco ball in the Northwest).
8 am-8 pm, Wolf Run Ranch, Durfur. $200 general admission, $300 OMG admission. A variety of camping and parking options available for an additional fee.
Friday, June 27
Northwest Crossing Hullabaloo
This neighborhood street festival has a little something for everyone, including food, music, games, bike races, and kid-friendly activities. We’re in it for: Crit races for the youngest Bendites (tykes on bikes—what could be cuter?) with ice cream at the finish line and impressively big name acts for a neighborhood shindig. This year’s headliners: folk icons the Indigo Girls. Brush up on your lyrics and bring lighters; there will be singalongs and swaying.
3 pm. NW Crossing Neighborhood. Free.
Saturday, June 28
10th Annual Central Oregon Pride Festival
“Love is in the Air” is the theme for this annual event celebrating LGBTQ equality. Spirits are sure to be high in light of the re- cent marriage decision. Also, Pride is probably the closest thing Central Oregon has to Mardi Gras. Get your fill of feather boas, short shorts, drag queens, badass lady bikers and all-rainbow-everything here. You don’t have to be “family” to attend.
Noon to 6 pm. Drake Park. Free.
Friday, July 4
Pet Parade and Old Fashioned Fourth of July Festival
Nothing says patriotism like decking out all creatures great and small in stars and stripes and parading them through down- town. And we do mean all creatures—past parades have included dogs, llamas, horses, lizards, goats and even stuffed animals. Following the parade, Drake Park hosts a daylong event featuring artisans, community groups, craft and food vendors, and live music. Stuff yourself with elephant ears and hot dogs before catching the fire- works exploding over Pilot Butte.
10 am parade, 11 am-4 pm festival, 10 pm fireworks. Downtown Bend. Free. Tuesday, July 8– Thursday, July 10
Oregon Summer Quilt Expo
Central Oregon is about to get quilt crazy. In public. The area supposedly has the highest number of craft and hobby artists per capita in the western United States and many of them will have their art on display at this annual expo. Not just for grandmas anymore, quilting is the medium of choice for a growing number of artists. These are more than just complicated blankets.
10 am. Deschutes County Fair & Expo. $10 adults, free for children under 15. Saturday, July 12
39th Annual Sisters Outdoor Quilt Show
While quilts typically enjoy a cozy respite over a bed or couch (and, if they’re fancy, on a wall), these works of fabric art will be letting it all hang out as they show their stuff on the streets of Sisters. This annual event paints the town plaid, paisley and patchwork with a colorful assortment of patterns and styles, from the traditional pieced and hexagonal quilts to modern and art quilts. More than 1,300 quilts from around the world will be on display.
9 am-4 pm. Downtown Sisters. Free to look. Friday, July 11
Bend Summer Festival
The quintessential street festival, this annual event takes over downtown with live music, artists, food, beer, kids activities and more. Like First Friday on steroids, Summer Fest brings in performers from across the nation. This year’s lineup blends funk, soul, folk, and rock with headliners Larry and His Flask, Jelly Bread (Reno) and Tango Alpha Tango (Portland).
5-10 pm Friday, 11 am-10 pm Saturday, 11 am-5 pm Sunday. Downtown Bend. Free.
Wednesday, July 29 – Sunday, August 3
Deschutes County Fair
It wouldn’t be summer without a trip to the county fair. In addition to the standard at- tractions—blue ribbon pies, spiffed up farm animals, cotton candy and ferris wheels— the fair includes a rodeo and some big name performers. This year, rock idol Pat Benatar and country crooner Josh Turner will take the stage (not together, that would be weird).
10 am-10 pm Wednesday and Thursday, 10 am-11 pm Friday and Saturday, 10 am-5 pm Sunday. Deschutes County Fair & Expo. $7- $25.
Friday, August 8- Sunday, August 10
Sunriver Art Faire
A showcase of more than 65 artists from the Pacific NW featuring a variety of mediums, live entertainment and a children’s art center. Three days of music wrap up with a street dance to the rock and roll sounds of the Klassixs AyreBand and a magic show for the kids.
10 am-7 pm Friday and Saturday, 10 am-4 pm Sunday. 57100 Beaver Dr, Sunriver. Free to look.
Friday, August 22 – Sunday, August 24
Art in the High Desert
One of the top 15 arts and craft shows in the nation, this juried event features more than 100 artists from across the United States and Canada. Stroll along the Deschutes in the Old Mill District while perusing original handiwork and chatting with the artists that created them. Whether you’re a looky-loo or have an eye to buy, there’s plenty to take in.
10 am-6 pm Friday and Saturday, 10 am-4 pm Sunday. On the banks of the Deschutes River, in the Old Mill District. Free to look.
