The inaugural Bend Comedy Festival is launching over Labor Day Weekend. More than 25 comedians from around the country will perform. Organizer Skylar King says it’ll be a mix of nationally touring headliners and local talent. The lineup includes Kate Berlant (Emmy-nominated comedian, writer, and actress), Susan Rice (“Don’t Tell Comedy”), Ehsan Ahmad (“Kill Tony”), […]
Outside
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It Started with a Stitch
The Sisters Outdoor Quilt Show celebrates half a century
The Sisters Outdoor Quilt Show is celebrating its 50th year. The annual event, held the second Saturday in July, draws more than 10,000 visitors from around the world. It began in 1975 when the founder of The Stitchin’ Post quilt shop, Jean Wells, hung about a dozen family quilts outside her shop. A tradition was […]
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The 36th Annual Ochoco Butterfly Count
A day spent chasing butterflies in mountain meadows is a good day.
Sue Anderson, leader of the annual Ochoco Butterfly Count, gathers the participants into a pre-count circle and gives the ten of us volunteers, including Juba the dog (named after the Juba skipper), a morning pep talk prior to all of us heading out in the Ochoco National Forest where this count, sponsored by the Lane […]
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Talking to Trees
Learning a new language in ways of communication
Camping in Central Oregon as a young being, I felt continually drawn to the trunks of Ponderosa Pines that were close to the ground, like I was, and extended infinitely upward, like I did. My little paws touched the bark and I stood in wonder at how all these puzzle pieces around the tree could […]
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New Downhill Mountain Bike Trails
Wanoga Downhill is being created by some of the best in the sport
Work is underway for a new mountain biking playground. Wanoga Downhill trails are being crafted by the Central Oregon Trail Alliance with input from some elite athletes including Carson Storch, a world-class freeride and slopestyle mountain biker as well as Dusty Wygle, a high-flying freeride mountain biker known for daring tricks. The trails are near […]
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Bend Dirt Fest
Get dirty, Bend: New event combines competition, camaraderie and dusty trails
Let’s talk dirty. The inaugural Bend Dirt Fest, organized by longtime endurance event director Mike Ripley and his company, Mudslinger Events, rolls into town on Friday, July 12, offering a mix of trail running, gravel grinding, and mountain biking fun—with a distinct local vibe. The Bend Dirt Fest is a spiritual successor to one of […]
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4th of July Events
A Central Oregon Guide to plan your holiday
Bend A popular annual tradition continues in downtown Bend with the July 4 Pet Parade. It started in 1924 with only three cancellations for World War II and the Covid-19 pandemic. Pet owners are encouraged to dress their furry friends in patriotic costumes to walk a loop starting at Harmon Park. The parade heads east […]
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Cancellation of Oregon High Desert Classics Disappoints Locals
Show officials say it’s “just a pause” for a year due to low registrations
If you’ve driven down the northeast section of Hamby Road in late July, you’ve probably noticed the colorful show rings and throngs of horses and riders at J Bar J Boys Ranch. This year, those grounds will be empty for only the second time in decades as the Oregon High Desert Classics horse show, slated […]
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Album Release Party
Seventeen musicians on four stages
The High Desert Music Collective just released its second digital album featuring more than 80 artists, most of them local. To celebrate, it’s hosting a party on Wednesday, June 25 with 17 of the musicians performing on four stages. That includes Good Life Brewing, The Commonwealth Pub, The Ale Apothecary and Play Society. The party […]
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Native Plant Garden Tour
Join a curated tour of private and public native plant gardens.
For native plant enthusiasts, the drought for a native plant garden tour is about to end in Bend during National Pollinator Month. The High Desert Horticultural Center is offering a curated tour of private and public gardens that feature and focus on native plants and pollinators on June 21 in Bend. There will be 12 […]
