Summer at last! So much to do, so little time. Here’s a look at some of Central Oregon’s most popular summertime festivities.
Through Sept. 26:
Sisters Farmer’s Market: Food & music festival held every Friday during the season; includes locally grown plants & produce, plus locally made foods & local crafters; a different local musician or group performs each week. 3-6 pm, Barclay Park. A program of Sisters Park & Recreation District. 541-420-8931 or 541-388-7314.
Through September
Cascade Summer Street Fair: Farmer’s market featuring fare from area farms & ranches, plus swap meet, antiques & collectibles, crafts, plants, a petting zoo, pony rides, live music & food-truck fare. 8 am-4 pm., Deschutes County Fair & Expo Ctr. Free. 541-385-3364.
Through Oct. 8
Bend Farmer’s Market: One of Oregon’s leading farm–direct marketplaces, bringing together growers and producers with people who hunger for fresh, local, healthful foods and agricultural goods. Wednesdays 3-7pm, downtown Bend, in the Brooks Street alleyway behind the Tower Theater. 541-408-4998.
June 25-Sept 3
Music on the Green: Grab a blanket & bring a lawn chair to one of the longest-running community music events in Central Oregon, spotlighting some of the region’s best musical talents in a block-party atmosphere, plus arts & crafts, food & drinks, rock climbing, inflatables & playground, Free; every other Wednesday at 6 pm, Sam Johnson Park, Redmond. 541-923-5191.
June 28–Sept 20
NorthWest Crossing Saturday Market: Fresh produce, meats, cheeses, eggs, flowers & handcrafted items, plus food & drink. The market stage features talented local, regional & international entertainers; during the “Market Spotlight” from 11:30–noon, guest chefs serve up tasty bites & wellness & garden experts share new ideas & info. Each Saturday from 10 am-2 pm, Northwest Crossing, Bend.
June 27
Northwest Crossing Hullabaloo: 7th Annual celebration featuring food, fun, music, bike races & more, all in a friendly, street-festival atmosphere. Headlining act is nationally known folk-rock duo Indigo Girls (9:30 pm). Main Stage acts from 4-8 pm. Kids Stage & Kid Zone from 4-8 pm.
June 27-28
Crooked River Roundup Rodeo: One of the oldest family entertainment events in Oregon, featuring PRCA bull & bronc riding, roping, steer wrestling, & barrel racing. $15 Fri night, $18 Sat night, $10 Sun afternoon. Kids $10 Fri-Sat night; Sun children are free. Crook County Fairgrounds, Prineville.
June 28-29
Bite of Bend: Central Oregon ‘s largest food festival, celebrating the region ‘s unique cuisine & culture. Free to the public and includes activities for the whole family. Festival favorites include the live Top Chef competition, a rocking Music Stage, beer garden, the 5th Annual Beer Run, interactive children ‘s area & the Marketplace, featuring samplings from local restaurants & chefs. Sat 11 am-10 pm, Sun 11 am-6 pm. Downtown Bend, Bond St. between Franklin Ave. and NW Oregon Ave.
Freedom Festival: USO stage with entertainment from World War II thru Vietnam, plus a Freedom Run, a MASH camp representing the Korean War & a re-enactment of one of the battles in World War II. Creekside Park, Sisters. 541-549-8905 or 541-420-0279.
July 1-31
Around the Block Quilt Walk: More than 100 quilts on display in Sisters, many for sale, in businesses that sponsor the Sisters Outdoor Quilt Show. Quilts also on view from July 4-20 at more than 20 shops & restaurants in The Old Mill District in Bend. Brochures with a map and list of participating businesses available at the Sisters Area Chamber of Commerce and at the Old Mill Ticket Mill. 541-549-0989 or 541-312-0131.
July 3-6
Sisters Roundup of Gems: 18th annual show, with more than an acre of rocks, minerals & fossils from throughout the world. 9 am-6 pm Thur-Sat; 9 am- 4 pm Sun. Sisters Elementary School. 503-829-2680.
La Pine Frontier Days: Midway, live music, kids’ games, fun run, talent show, fireworks & July 4 Parade. Downtown La Pine. 541-536-8721.
July 4-6
La Pine Rodeo: 12th Annual event, with mutton bustin’, bull riding, barrel racing & steer roping. La Pine Rodeo Grounds. 541-536-7500
July 4
Wings & Wheels Fly-in & Classic Car Show: Pancake breakfast, a presentation by Parents of Sisters Military & music. 7:30 am-noon, Sisters Eagle Airport, 15820 Barclay Dr. 541-719-0602.
Pet Parade & Old-Fashioned July 4th Celebration: Kids of all ages are invited to participate — come dressed in costume with your pet or stuffed animal on pulled wagons, floats, bikes or trikes. 10 am; lineup at 9:30 am on Wall Street & Idaho by the Boys & Girls Club. Followed by Old-Fashioned July 4th Festival, with craft& food booths, old-fashioned games & live entertainment, Drake Park. 11 am-4 pm. 541-389-7275.
Sound Fourth Concert: The 72-member Cascade Horizon Band & the 100-member Festival Chorus perform this inspirational concert of show tunes, popular favorites & patriotic selections. 3-4:30- pm, Bend High School Auditorium. Free; donations appreciated. 541-639-7734.
Redmond’s 4th of July Parade: More than 70 entries & floats will run along Sixth Street, from Dogwood to Forest avenues, with a patriotic backdrop that includes the placement of hundreds of American flags. 10 am start, along Sixth Street from Dogwood to Forest, downtown Redmond. 541-923-5191.
Redmond’s Old-Fashioned 4th of July Celebration: Free community event features pony rides, train rides, bounce houses, archery, a petting zoo, a water obstacle course, games, prizes, live music & more. 11 am-4 pm. Deschutes Fair & Expo Center, Redmond.
Black Butte Ranch July Fourth Celebration & Parade: Day-long celebration, including Fun Run/Walk (8 am); Bicycle Decorating (10:30); Parade (11:30, begins at Sport Field & ends at Rec Barn), barbecue & free entertainment by Biff Harley (noon-3 pm;). Old-Fashioned 4th of July games (1 pm); live music by Laurel Brauns Sweet Harlots (6-8 pm: free); Family Night at the Movies: The Sandlot (7 pm). Rec Barn, Black Butte Ranch.
Sunriver 4th of July Festival: Features a bike parade, rock wall, barbecue, games, petting zoo, live music & more. 10:30 am-4 pm. $1 per activity ticket; donations accepted (proceeds benefit New Generations Early Childhood Development Center). Village at Sunriver. 541-633-9600.
Bend’s July Fourth Fireworks Spectacular: Fireworks are launched from the top of Pilot Butte in Bend, 10 pm.
Redmond Fireworks display: 10 pm, Deschutes County Fair & Expo Ctr. 541-923-5191.
July 6
Around the Block Fiber Arts Stroll: More than 20 fiber artists share their textile arts, including quilts, weaving, basketry, fabric dying & more. Noon-4 pm, downtown Sisters. 541-549-0989.
July 9-12
Crooked River Roundup Horse Races: A Prineville tradition since 1966. Crook County Fairgrounds, Prineville. Post Time: 7:15 for the first race every night. $5. 541-447-4479.
July 11-13
Bend Summer Festival: Bend’s signature art & music festival, now in its 24th year, draws artists & performers from all around the Pacific Northwest & features top national musicians. Free. Fri from 5-10 pm, Sat 11 am-dusk for vendors & 10 pm for music, Sunday 11 am-5 pm. Wall Street from Greenwood to Franklin Ave, Bend.
July 13
Sisters Outdoor Quilt Show: 
39th annual international event, featuring more than 1,300 quilts from around the world, all adorning the walls –- both inside and out — of businesses throughout Sisters. 9 am-4 pm. 541-549-0989.
July 16-20
High Desert Classic I: Two weeks of world-class equestrian competition — the largest, most-prestigious Hunter-Jumper competition in the Northwest, bringing 500 of the finest horses & most talented professional & amateur riders from the US & Canada. Classes & competitions all day Wed-Sun from 8 am-5 pm (Grand Prix events held each Sat starting at 4:30 pm). Food, shopping, beer & wine and limited seating & shade available. Entrance free; Tickets for special events. J Bar J Ranch, 62895 Hamby Rd, Bend. 541-389-1409.
July 18-20
Balloons Over Bend: A weekend filled with spectacular color, when picturesque hot-air balloons dot the horizon above the Deschutes; launches on Friday, Saturday & Sunday mornings at sunrise & Friday night at dusk, Festival-goers are invited to experience NightGlow, when each balloon is lit up. Also, Children ‘s Festival with some 60 activities, including bouncy houses, face painting, crafts & educational opportunities (Sat 10 am-5 pm & Sun 10 am-2 pm), Riverbend Park. 541-323-0964.
July 18-20
COBA Tour of Homes: Two-weekend showcase of the region’s finest new homes & new home trends (eligible homes must be constructed within the 24-month period before the Tour dates). Free; self-guided tour. Fri noon-6 pm, Sat & Sun 10 am-6 pm. 541-382-1811.
July 19
Sisters “Glory Daze” Car Show: 6th annual event, featuring makes & models dated up to 1989. Also features live music, vendors & a whole lot of fun. 10 am-3 pm, Along East Main Avenue, Sisters. 541-549-0251.
July 19-20
Sisters Antiques in the Park: Antiques, collectables, food & live entertainment with the Anvil Blasters. Sat 10 am -5 pm, Sun 10 am-4 pm. Creekside Park. 541-420-0279.
July 23-27
High Desert Classic II: Two weeks of world-class equestrian competition — the largest, most-prestigious Hunter-Jumper competition in the Northwest, bringing 500 of the finest horses & most talented professional & amateur riders from the US & Canada. Classes & competitions all day Wed-Sun from 8 am-5 pm (Grand Prix events held each Sat starting at 4:30 pm). Food, shopping, beer & wine and limited seating & shade available. Entrance free; Tickets for special events. J Bar J Ranch, 62895 Hamby Rd, Bend. 541-389-1409.
July 25-27
COBA Tour of Homes: Two-weekend showcase of the region’s finest new homes & new home trends (eligible homes must be constructed within the 24-month period before the Tour dates). Free; self-guided tour. Fri noon-6 pm, Sat & Sun 10 am-6 pm. 541-382-1811.
July 25-28
Downtown Bend Sidewalk Sale: Downtown bend merchants clear out their shops to make room for new fall merchandise, with sale of up to 80 percent off. 8 am–9 pm. 541-788-3628.
July 26-27
Sisters Arts & Crafts Festival: Arts, crafts, food, live entertainment with Out of the Blue & a special silent auction with 100 percent benefiting The Make-A-Wish Foundation of Oregon. On Saturday, Jefferson Street will be closed for a Classic Car Cruise-in. 10 am-4 pm, Creekside Park. 541-420-0279.
July 30-Aug 3
Deschutes County Fair: 95 years of fun –- featuring five days of carnival rides, 4-H animals, great food, plus a rodeo & big-name concerts (including Pat Benatar & Neil Giraldo, Josh Turner & Eli Young Band. Concerts are free with ticket, but admission to fair must be paid separately to enter. Deschutes County Fair & Expo Center, Redmond. 541-548-2711.
Aug 8-9
Country Fair & Art Show: 19th annual event includes juried art show and sale, silent auction, raffles & refreshments, country store, book sale & more. Art show & artists’ reception on Friday (5-8 pm); art show & country fair on Saturday (10 am-3 pm). Episcopal Church of the Transfiguration, Sisters. 541-549-7087. All proceeds benefit local community support agencies.
Aug. 9-10
Tumalo Avenue of the Arts: New event featuring antiques, arts, crafts, food & entertainment. Cook Avenue, Tumalo. 541-420-0279.
Aug. 16-17
Redmond Street Festival: Arts, crafts & antiques with a small section of commercial booths, plus a stage with live entertainment (at the intersection of Evergreen). Downtown Redmond, Oregon on 6th Street. 541-420-0279.
Aug. 22-24
Art in the High Desert: Central Oregon’s premier juried art & fine craft festival, showcasing 110 artists from around the country plus Canada. Fri-Sat 10 am-6 pm, Sun10am-4 pm. Along the banks of the Deschutes River, Old Mill District. Free. 541-322-6272.
Aug. 23-24
Sisters Wild West Show: Western skits, fitting for a Western-fronted town, plus Western and Native American arts, crafts & antiques. Creekside Park. 541-420-0279.
Aug. 29-31
Central Oregon Wild West Show: An hour and a half show similar to the famous “Buffalo Bill Show,” plus a variety of arts, crafts, food & educational exhibits surrounding the arena. $8. Deschutes County Fair & Expo Center. 541-420-0279.
Aug 30-31
Art at the Ranch: 28th annual event benefits the Sisters School District Visual Arts Program, scholarships for art students & also supports regional artists. Silent Auction Sat from 4-6 pm. Black Butte Ranch. Sponsored by the Black Butte Ranch Art Guild. 541-595-1282.
Sept 5-7
Sisters Folk Festival: Nationally renowned three-day celebration of roots music from blues to bluegrass, with nine venues scattered throughout downtown Sisters. This year’s roster includes Grammy-winning Canadian acoustic roots band The Duhks, plus Eric Bibb, Ruth Moody, The Black Lillies & Steve Poltz. 541-549-4979.
Sept. 13-14
Sisters Fall Street Festival: Arts, crafts, food and a special silent auction with 100 percent benefiting the Sisters High School Visual Arts Department. Downtown Sisters, Oregon on Oak Street. 541-420-0279.
About the Author
Lisa Broadwater, GRI, CDPE, is a Central Oregon-based real estate professional who specializes in listing and selling homes, especially in Sisters, Tumalo, Bend and Redmond.