Celebrate The Harvest Season
Get ready for some fall fun at the 2023 First Interstate Bank Bend Fall Festival! We can’t wait to celebrate autumn in Central Oregon with an amazing community of art lovers and festival goers. This annual tradition brings together the community for one of Downtown Bend’s largest events of the year.
Art In Action Avenue
Saturday & Sunday | Brooks Alley
NEW FOR 2023! Interactive installation from HOTTEA
HOTTEA is an Emmy award-winning artist, having worked with clients big and small – from private home installations to entities like Google and Viacom. Over the years, HOTTEA has balanced both corporate commissions while still keeping his roots in street art and graffiti. By continuing to do un-commissioned work on the streets non-destructively, HOTTEA’s commissioned pieces have been given an edge over the rest using similar materials and techniques. By being able to research and install in everyday spaces, one would not typically see art installations the artist has gained knowledge of how people interact with art on a broader scale. Some of the cities and spaces the artist has recently worked in include- the Sydney Opera House, the beach of Barcelo Resort in Mexico, the MADE festival in Sao Paulo, Brazil, and NY Fashion Week. His accomplishments range from collaborations with Sesame Street to un-commissioned interventions in Santa Monica, California. HOTTEA is an artist who prides himself in the quality and concept of his artwork both on the street and in a museum.
See below for a mock up of what will be installed at this year’s Bend Fall Fest!

NEW FOR 2023! Collaborative installations from Joel Stockdill & Yustina Salnikova
Joel Stockdill is a self-taught sculptor with 20 years dedicated to his craft. His work has spanned many mediums and large collaborations- from folk architecture and figurative form to performance and integrated stage design. His love of large-scale sculpture is rooted in the magic of creating as a team and bringing together a community to achieve incredible scale while learning from each other. He has worked in the SF Bay area for much of his career. He has created work across the globe for many well-known events, galleries, and institutions. Joel prefers to build sculptures intuitively with waste material and found objects.
Yustina Salnikova is an artist with a vision to bring environmental awareness and social change through sculpture, painting, dance, installation art, and the transformation of public spaces. Her work explores themes of reimagining “waste” and finding ways to love and be present with the things, habits, places, and people society has historically cast “away.” She draws on her understanding of the relationship between social, environmental, and urban structures from her activism work, as well as studying environmental science & policy and sustainable design at UC Berkeley to guide her art. She believes art can not only be a vehicle for education and storytelling but can also be used to provide urban and municipal functions through biomimicry. Ultimately, her work aims to transform her personal relationship with the climate crisis and beyond into a prayer for a more connected and equitable world where no one and nothing is “discarded.”
EXAMPLES OF PAST WORK
Their collaborative work often asks the viewer to reconsider their relationship with their environment and material world and find ways to adore all of it, even the ugly parts. They believe every object has a story that is worth “remembering” in an embodied way. Together they have created over 20 large-scale sculptures around the world, all made from recycled or reclaimed materials.
2023 COMMUNITY WORKSHOP
Sat & Sun 11am-5pm
Caterpillar. Transformation and Metamorphosis.
In Bend, we envision a community that makes responsible decisions about the consumption, use, and disposal of materials. Artist and Sculptor, Joel Dean Stockdill and Yustina Salnikova, are hoping to continue to promote this message.
Their work explores themes of “reimagining ‘waste’ and finding ways to love and be present with the things, habits, places, and people society has historically cast ‘away,’” says Salnikova.
Join the artists during Bend Fall Fest to watch and help sculpt a Caterpillar.
The Caterpillar symbolizes hope and a need for change around the creation & disposal of waste.
With care and attention, caterpillars are known to transform.
The artists will host informal workshops throughout the day in the form of collaborative sculpting. Meet the artists and watch as we transform our waste into a beautiful caterpillar. Learn how to reuse our “trash” including single-use plastics and cardboard, as we transform it into a beautiful and large-scale sculpture.
Activity is for all ages; please note that we will be using clean trash, mostly cardboard and some tools, including glue guns, that will not be for all levels of expertise.
MORE Art in Action on Brooks Alley
Catch artists in the act of creating on Art in Action Avenue, a gigantic art studio for you to explore. Discover your inner artists with printmakers, mask makers and pumpkin painters! Stand back as the massive steamroller prints amazing works for art, discover your inner ghoul by painting a pumpkin. Discover how mural art is done and help create a 30’ long caterpillar out of recycled materials! Fun for all ages!

Steam Roller Print Making & “Imprint Yourself!”
Stand back! Prepare to see several thousand pounds of raw machine muscle create stunning artwork right on the street, right in front of you. Some of Central Oregon finest artists will be expanding the dimensions of their typical printmaking boundaries onto massive expanses of paper. This is big art!
New this year is “Imprint Yourself!” Choose artist created printing blocks and printing paper and voila! you have created your very own print!

Earth Creature Paintings
Bend based mural artist Evan Namkung captures brilliant images of nature’s creatures, transforming a blank surface into finished painting before your eyes.
He is deeply inspired by the way in which art changes a place, be it a wall or a building, from the unremarkable and unseen to emotionally charged and dynamic. Using his knowledge of the structure of architecture and geometry his animals appear to reach out from the canvas.
Masker Aid!
Who wouldn’t appreciate a little FREE help with mask creation before the Halloween and Day of the Dead celebrations. Professional artists are supplied with mask templates, feathers, paint and sparkles to help you create a festive disguise you will be proud to masquerade around Bend Fall Festival.
Cartooning and art demonstrations by artists who teach or show at Layor Art + Supply complete the picture.

The 2023 expansion of Art in Action Avenue is brought to the streets of Bend through grant funding from the Bend Cultural Tourism Fund
The Bend Cultural Tourism Fund (BCTF) is a grant program created to enhance Bend’s economy through cultural tourism. From musical productions to art exhibits to film festivals and more, the BCTF supports cultural opportunities that draw visitors to Bend.
Their support of arts and culture allowed our team to partner with Building 180 to bring two installations by artists whose work has been shown all over the world.
Fine Art
Saturday & Sunday | Wall St between Oregon Ave & Franklin Ave
Stroll through the more than 80 fine artists and craftspeople as they fill the street with their handwork, design and artistry. Traveling to Bend from all over the state, region and country, these fine artists bring color and life to the First Interstate Bank Bend Fall Festival! This year’s artists are bringing pottery, photography, fiber arts, 2D fine art, 3D fine art and sculpture, home and garden adornments, jewelry and more.
- Alan Higinbotham High-Fired Porcelain
- Annie Chrietzberg
- Anton Yakushev Designs
- Arianna Nicolai Jewelry
- Art by Calista
- Art by Dakota Dean
- Art to Harmony
- Ashes To Apples
- Barrett Makes Stuff
- Beautiful Oregon
- Beaver State Glass
- Beth Houts Photography
- Black Horse Studio
- Branch and Barrel
- Breein
- Bucket Stand
- Canyon and Cove
- Carrot Flower Creative
- Cedar Rose Woodworking
- Clay Dragon
- Cooper Art and Abode
- Creative Beginnings
- Dawn Jewelry
- De Los Angeles Weaving
- Diane Portwood Arts
- Erika Honig Jewelry
- Garrett Skelton
- Hiker Booty
- Hollis ArtWorks
- Honey Loom Designs
- Jane Pellicciotto Design Jewelry
- Joanna Lusk Designs
- Keira Shine Jewelry
- Lee Morrison Art
- Lessa Clayton
- Luna B Jewelry

- Maia Leisz Fine Arts
- Map Your Adventure
- Megan Marie Myers Arts
- Meltdown Metal Art
- Michelle Adams Photography
- Michelle Purvis
- Mountain Fiber Designs
- Mountain Home Arts
- Nicole Hummel Ceramics
- Nzalamba Artworks
- P.J. Niche
- Paintings For Hummingbirds
- Paper Cut
- Pith to Bark
- Pottery By Yvonne
- Rasa Clay Works
- Riverside Studio
- Sarah Goodnough
- Sarah Robison Art
- Scarola Photography
- SFM Designs
- Snake River Nets
- Studio Les Bois
- Todd Sherwood Gallery
- Turning From The Woods
- Vicknair Arts
- Waber Ranch Creations
- Watercolor Wednesday
- Wild by Design
- Wild Flowear
- Wiregreyhound
- Xochi Fine Art
Live Music
Friday

Bodhi Mojo
Friday, 5:30-6:30pm
Bodhi Mojo is a psychedelic, five-piece jam band rooted in good feels, good grooves, and soulful vocals. Characterized by mind-bending jams and heartfelt songwriting, they never play the same show twice and leave you yearning for more.
Formed in 2019 Bodhi Mojo developed their following by performing at countless DIY festivals and house shows. After honing their sound, the band’s following grew to support them in headlining and selling out some of Portland’s top jam funk venues including the Goodfoot, The Get Down, and The Haven. Their latest pursuits include releasing a full length album ‘Midnight Dojo’ in July 2022, touring the PNW from Seattle to San Francisco, and hosting the premiere PNW Jam Band festival “Mojo Family Festival,” entering its 3rd year in 2023, playing host to the best up and coming groove bands in the region.
Bodhi Mojo is made up of Jack McGrane on guitar and vocals, Chris Stein on guitar and vocals, Mike Ewers on bass, Harrison Games on drums, and Will Traylor on keys. Bodhi Mojo calls Portland, OR their home.

Sonic Benders
Friday, 7-8pm
SONIC BENDERS plays booty-shaking boogaloo soul/funk in the vein of The New Mastersounds or The Meters. The band features some of Bend’s finest and most prolific live musicians; Brother Gabe Johnson (Watkins Glen, MFG, Elektrapod) on guitars, Patrick Ondrozeck (Company Grand, Mostest, StealHead) on keys, David Watts (The Cutmen) on bass, Jarrod Donatelli (Fractal, Elektrapod) on percussion and Jason Bradley (Moksha) on drums. SONIC BENDERS is all about soulful and ecstatic fun. Without fail, every show features the band and audience joyously grooving their asses off and embarking on adventurous “sonic benders” together. The end result…smiles for miles.

True Loves
Friday, 8:30-10pm
Listening to the abundant sounds of the Seattle-based funk & soul group, True Loves, is like walking down a favorite neighborhood street, slapping five with friends, checking up with clerks in their stores, admiring your dark sun-glassed face in their windows, ducking under flowerpots and smelling the familiar smells of your most cherished locale. The band is its own block party.
What began in 2014 as a jam session between three of the city’s best – pocket-perfect drummer David McGraw, intoxicating bassist Bryant Moore, and otherworldly guitarist Jimmy James – has since blossomed into a global force that now features percussionist Iván Galvez and four horn players: trombonists Jason Cressey and Greg Kramer, and saxophonists Gordon Brown and Skerik. Together, the group’s live performances have garnered them much acclaim and millions of streams on YouTube.
In 2017, True Loves recorded their debut instrumental LP, Famous Last Words, which received worldwide adoration and earned them spots at coveted festivals. In 2021, the group released their sophomore album, Sunday Afternoon.
Saturday

Cascade School of Music Students
Saturday, 11:30am-12:30pm
& Saturday, 1-2pm

Wyelow
Saturday, 2:30-3:30pm
WYELOW is an indie rock band fronted by singer and lyricist Holly Wilson. The three-piece ensemble pulls inspiration from bands such as Big Thief, Radiohead, the Cranberries and Portishead.
Holly’s lyrics are direct and potent, transporting the listener through her dense inner world(s). Through her songs, she taps into dreams, aches, collective memory, ancestral folklore, and interwoven relationships of family, lovers and self. Writing music has been a tool for her to process and transmute her struggles with heartache, mental health, and the necessary reckoning of being human.
She is accompanied by the drumming of Todd Rosenberg (formerly the drummer of Mad Caddies) and the intricate and eccentric bass lines of Davey Hemm.
They have shared the stage with musician Storm Large and played extensively at various venues throughout Central Oregon.

The Rusty Frets
Saturday, 4-5pm
The Rusty Frets are a brand new 4 piece reggae band out of Central Oregon. They are a culmination of 4 people who love reggae, and just playing music in general. Dylan (drums) and Tyler (Guitar) started by co writing dubs, and decided it was time to put a band together. Darcy (bass) and Matt (vocals) came along shortly after, and now the 4 piece are working on brand new music that they will debut in summer / fall of 2023!

Oregon Fryer
Saturday, 5:30-6:30pm
Based in rhythm, lyrics & harmony, while drawing inspiration from the likes of old Country & Americana with a big twist of Honky-tonk & Rock ‘n Roll, Oregon Fryer’s tight arrangements and improvisational vigor is instantly timeless and enchanting.
Come along for the ride where you’ll be transported through gritty parlors & bluesy speakeasy saloons to funky good times, always leaving you wanting more!

Far Out West
Saturday, 7-8pm
Portland-based Far Out West strikes a relentlessly engaging balance between funk-infused rock and a jazz-informed collaboration, making them stand out as one of Portland’s most creative electric quartets to groove their way across the West Coast in recent years. Since the band’s inception in 2016, their high energy performances and upbeat instrumentation continue to raise the spirits of their audiences, one sensational beat at a time.
Following the release of their debut EP, The Good Fight (2018), the group began a residency at local club The Goodfoot Lounge. Since then, the band has completed several regional tours, with performances at notable festivals like Northwest String Summit, Juniper Jam, 4 Peaks Music Festival and the Beltane Music Festival. Throughout this time they also shared stages with heavy-hitters Becca Stevens, Jeff Austin Band, Dirty Revival, World’s Finest, and Jelly Bread. The group completed a live trio recording session at Fremont Recording Studio in early 2020, where they captured a handful of fresh material to tape.
Propelled by the compositions of guitarist and vocalist Liz Chibucos, Far Out West has developed a new repertoire of songs that branch out from the groups’ previous bluegrass influence and lean into the grounded wildness of freewheeling jazz-rock. Their psych-funk outlet harnesses rich, melodic motion and fresh improvisation. Through intentional use of space and rhythm, Far Out West integrates groove-oriented bass & percussion with smoking solos and robust, sultry vocals, a medley that’s sure to tell a story as vibrant as it is nuanced.

Spunj
Saturday, 8:30-10pm
Spunj is a high energy, multi-genre four-piece based out of Eugene, Oregon. Using their diverse musical backgrounds and tastes, Spunj believes in making their live shows not just a musical performance, but an experience. The band incorporates classic songwriting with sections of improvisation to seamlessly weave from genre to genre while keeping the energy high and always danceable. Since 2019, the band has toured the Pacific Northwest relentlessly growing from playing bars and college parties to playing established and respectable venues and festivals and opening for major jam acts such as Spafford, Eggy, Twiddle, Lespecial, Cycles, and Yak Attack. The quartet has also released a full length studio album that is available on all major streaming platforms such as Spotify, iTunes and Bandcamp. Spunj plans to tour heavily in the West Coast with intentions to break out further into the United States.
Sunday

Cascade School of Music Students
Sunday, 11:30am-12:30pm
& Sunday, 1-2pm

Pete Kartsounes
Sunday, 2:30-3:30pm
Pete is an award winning singer-songwriter, flat picker, and cutting-edge musician’s musician, No stranger to life out on the road, Pete has spent over two decades bringing his voice and guitar to stages all over the world.
After 19 years submerged in the Colorado bluegrass scene sharing the stage with bands such as Leftover Salmon, Greensky Bluegrass and Yonder Mountain String Band, Pete now resides in Bend, OR spending most of his days writing, recording, teaching guitar, song schools, doing photography/videography, touring as a solo act and performing with others in small group gatherings under Covid-19 guidelines.
Pete continues to push the boundaries of the eclectic world of acoustic music. Pete is a truly limitless artist and a craftsman, whose songwriting draws from a myriad of musical traditions. Writing ballads, blues, jazz, bluegrass, folk, and compositions that defy definition, he is best described as a story teller, weaving a tale through a soulful musical journey.
Referred to as a “must see”, “truly one of a kind”, and “as original as he is diverse” from critics, Pete has rapidly become one of the renowned songwriters of today.

That 90’s Band
Sunday, 4-5pm
Playing your favorite nostalgic rock hits. That 90’s Band will take you right back there!

Oktoberfest Activities!
The Downtown Bend Business Associate presents Oktoberfest!
Join us in Downtown Bend Saturday, September 30 & Sunday October 1 for Oktoberfest activities! Go to various Downtown Businesses to participate.

Stein Hold Competitions
German Food Specials
Free Swag
Beer Specials Oktoberfest Music
and MORE

Bend Wiener Dog Race & Running of the Bulldogs
Sponsored by Veterinary Referral Center of Central Oregon, this promises to be an unforgettable experience for the whole family. On Sunday, October 1st at Noon, festival-goers can join in the festivities at Troy Field in downtown Bend and witness the race of a lifetime.
Weiner Dog Race: Dash to Victory! Daschunds of all sizes and colors will gather to compete in the eagerly anticipated Wiener Dog Race. Cheer on your favorite four-legged friend as they chase the title of fastest wiener dog in town!
Running of the Bulldogs: Bulldozing the Competition! But that’s not all – the Bend Fall Festival is turning up the heat with the Running of the Bulldogs. Watch these robust bulldogs show off their strength and determination as they thunder down the track.
Family Fun
The Bend Family Play Zone
Saturday 11am-6:30pm & Sunday 11am-5pm | Oregon between Bond and Lava
Enjoy two days of family fun from First Interstate Bank Bend Fall Festival. It will be more fun than ever. Bounce houses, and other kids’ activities, including face painting, temporary tattoos, pop-a-shot, shaved ice, henna, custom ink/watercolor portraits, and more!
- Temporatry Tattoos
- Kona Ice of Bend
- Frida Haas Studio
- N Zone Sports
- Artistry by EmiliaRose
- The Doodle Booth
- Girls Scouts (located at pumpkin painting station in Art in Action)

Pumpkin Painting
Every child at Bend Fall Festival gets to leave with a perfectly painted pumpkin to take home. Select the perfect size pumpkin from our local selection and then let your imagination run wild! Paint spooky faces, fall scenes or a colorful abstract masterpieces. All art materials are included so little ones can spend the day getting creative!


Kids Harvest Run
A PacificSource Kids Rock the Races event
Saturday, Sept 30th | Noon | Troy Field
Ages 3 to 4 — 12:00pm
Ages 5 to 7 — 12:10pm
Ages 8 to 10 — 12:20pm


About PacificSource Kids Rock the Races
Does your kid want to join in on the fun? Are you hoping to instill your love for running and the outdoors? Not only is this race series a chance for little ones to be a part of the “Big Kid” races, but it’s also a great way to teach children how to lead a healthy lifestyle.
The races are non-competitive — everyone receives a finishers ribbon and a punch card for earning more prizes! Run multiple races, earn more prizes! Learn More >>>

CANCELLED FOR 2023
Cornhole for Kids Tourney
Saturday 11am | Oregon Ave
Let’s play cornhole! Enter this tournament style competition and throw some bags at the 2023 Bend Fall Festival – all in support of the youth in our community.
Entry Fee: $50 per team (2 players per team)
Registration and warm up at 10am on Saturday. Tournament begins at 11am.
Enter to play in the tournament through this link!
Interested in being an event sponsor? Contact Alice Ivie at Alice@bgcbend.org.



Harvest Market
Saturday & Sunday | Minnesota Ave between Bond St & Wall St
The Harvest Market, on Minnesota Ave., will be teeming with the colors and fragrances of fall’s bounty. Delicious fruits and vegetables from local farmers like, knobby gourds, acorn squash, pumpkins will gild the booths. Local ranchers will provide chicken, pork and beef to make hearty meals, appropriate for the season.
Oregon Lifestyle Marketplace
Saturday 11am-6:30pm & Sunday 11am-5pm | Minnesota Ave between Wall St and Bond St
Live Your Best Life
If you need some foodie inspiration, visit Minnesota Avenue to treat your palette to robust Pacific Northwest wines and epicurean treats.
Gourmet is a lifestyle! Artisan products will be available for novice cooks to gourmet chefs alike.
Accordion Content
Accordion Content

Conscious Living Showcase
Take a journey through the healing and wellness showcase and discover compassion, purpose and contribution. Be empowered to make changes in ourselves and in our daily lives to create a sustainable environment and a peaceful world.
Food and Libations
Check out this year’s food options!
Local favorites serving up deliciousness all weekend long.
A great selection of craft brews from Sunriver Brewing and northwestern wines and classic cocktails will also be available!

We started as a mobile mediterranean street food cart in downtown Bend inspired by our travels around Europe.
Wraps, bowls, salads, and more!
Serving gyros, baklava, and other tasty Greek food in Central Oregon.
Offering homemade tots with a variety of creative toppings!
Amazing, Authentic Mexican Food!
Tacos, Burritos, Nachos, and more!
Serving tasty beignets!
Chinese Style Steamed Bun Dumplings in a wide assortment of flavors with homemade dipping sauces!
Selling Kettle Corn in Wide Flavors — Jalapeño, Regular Sweet & Salty, Caramel, Cheddar, Caramel Apple, & Seasonal Flavors.
Delicious Mexican Food!
We provide offerings of delicious sweet and savory crepes with high quality ingredients.
Corndogs, fried cheese, fried candy bars.
Dippin’ Dots Ice Cream, Miniature Donuts and drinks.
Soul Collective
Saturday 11am-6pm & Sunday 11am-5pm
Oregon Ave between Brooks Alley & Wall St
Explore clothing and accessories that exhibit the influences of rich textiles from vintage to global. Indulge your creative side and discover a source of inspiration through artfulness and good design. Escape from the everyday and fulfill your soul by embracing mind-fullness and well-being.
Bend Business Showcase
Saturday & Sunday | Wall Street – Between Oregon and Greenwood Avenue
The Bend Business Showcase is located on Wall St. and is a valuable opportunity for event-goers to become acquainted with Central Oregon business owners. Meet the biggest names in a variety of industries, including healing and wellness, nutrition, tiny homes, home improvement, insurance, banking, solar power, recreational and sporting goods, social media management, and more!