What’s Happening

Celebrate The Harvest Season

Get ready for some fall fun at the 2024 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. 

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.

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.

Live Music

New lineup for 2024 coming soon – check out our 2023 acts!

Friday

Bodhi Mojo

Friday, 5:30-6:30pm

Sonic Benders

Friday, 7-8pm

True Loves

Friday, 8:30-10pm

Saturday

Cascade School of Music Students

Saturday, 11:30am-12:30pm
& Saturday, 1-2pm

Wyelow

Saturday, 2:30-3:30pm

The Rusty Frets

Saturday, 4-5pm

Oregon Fryer

Saturday, 5:30-6:30pm

Far Out West

Saturday, 7-8pm

Spunj

Saturday, 8:30-10pm

Sunday

Cascade School of Music Students

Sunday, 11:30am-12:30pm
& Sunday, 1-2pm

Pete Kartsounes

Sunday, 2:30-3:30pm

That 90’s Band

Sunday, 4-5pm

Oktoberfest Activities!

The Downtown Bend Business Associate presents Oktoberfest!

Join us in Downtown Bend Saturday, October 5 & Sunday October 6 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 5 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!

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

Join us on Saturday, Oct. 5th for an exciting PacificSource Kids Rock the Races event! Kids between the ages of 3-10 will have a blast on this fun course at Troy Field (just south of the Bend Fall Festival). Each little runner will receive a pumpkin to take back to the Bend Family Play Zone’s Pumpkin Painting Station after the race.

Saturday, October 5 | 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 >>>

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.

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!

Title Sponsor

 
First Interstate Bank
 

Presenting Sponsor

 
Chevrolet of Bend
 

Our Sponsors

 
Homelight
San Juan Seltzer
Crater Lake Spirits
1077 The Beat
Source Weekly
AVID Cider
VRCCO
Mt Bachelor
TDS
Oregon Health Insurance Marketplace
Evergreen softhub
PacificSource Health Plans
KTVZ
Bend Cultural Tourism Fund
NYC Maid
LeafGuard
DIY Cave
10 Barrel Wine
S.O.S. Alarm
Sunriver
Double Tree
Bend Nest
Best Med
Emerald Cleaning
National Solar
Ablis
Wingocase
Discovery Realty
Republic Services
Ryan Walker State Farm
Oregrown