Things to do in Bend Oregon: 2010 Veterans Day Parade in Downtown Bend.

Bundle up the family and head downtown for Bend's annual Veterans Day Parade.

When: Thursday, November 11, 2010

Where: Downtown Bend, Oregon

Time: 11:00 am

Veterans Day began in 1919 following the signing of the Armistice that ended World War I. President Woodrow Wilson proclaimed the first Veterans Day or Armistice Day on November, 11, 1919, as a day for America to "reflect on the heroism of those who died for or country's service". In 1954, Armistice Day was expanded from a remembrance of World War I Veterans to a day for which to recognize and celebrate ALL Veterans who have bravely served our country.

Hope to see you downtown this Thursday to showing your support and thanks for our local Veterans.

Things to do in Bend, Oregon: The Bank of Cascades annual Fall Festival in downtown Bend.

This weekend in downtown Bend the pumpkins will be out, the leaves are changing and fantastic music will be playing on stage for the annual Bank of the Cascades Fall Festival. Bring the whole family out for a hay ride and celebrate the first festival of the harvest season.

For the full musical line up check out the Bank of Cascades Bend Fall Fall Festival on C3 Events.

Where: Downtown Bend, OR

When: Saturday, September 18, 2010 11am-10pm Kids area closes at 5pm

When: Sunday, September, 19, 2010 11am-6pm, Kids area closes at 4pm

If you're a baker then don't forget about the Pumpkin Pie Baking Contest.  Check is Saturday from 11:30 to 11:45am. The best pie will win $100.

Fun for the family includes a Pumpkin Painting contest for kids 17 and under.  Paint and pumpkins will be provided and kids can enter their pumpkins both Saturday and Sunday. The family harvest area also has bouncy houses, pony rides, face painting and more.

The fall festival is a great way to get outside before the real cold comes and enjoy some farm fresh food, great music and fall fun with friends and family at the 2010 Bend Fall Festival in dowtown Bend (not that a little cold will stop us from enjoying all the fun outdoor activities Bend has to offer).

See you downtown!  Thanks for reading Things to do in Bend, OR don't forget to Like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter.

365 Things to do in Bend OR - $3 Movies at McMenamins Old St. Francis School in Downtown Bend.

It definitely feels like fall outside today so our Thing to do in Bend is an inexpensive way to enjoy the movies inside.  McMenamins in Downtown Bend has a lot of fun activities including a pool, live music, a couple bars / restaurants and best of all the Movie Theater!

McMenamins Bend Movie Times

Cost: $3.00 Wednesday - Monday and $2.00 on Tuesdays! (That's right if $3 is too much then $2 Tuesdays should hit the spot.

Location: Downtown Bend on Bond Street

McMenamins occupies the Old St. Francis School which was a Catholic school until the 1930's.  The movie theater isn't the only thing worth viewing.  The artwork along the walls and Mosaic tile soaking pool are a must see. If you're visiting Bend the guest rooms and guest houses are in the heart of downtown Bend.

My McMinimens movie watching tips:

1. Bring cash.  McMenamins prefers you pay the entrance fee in cash.
2. Arrive early. The seating is great comfy couches and chairs so you'll want to show up early to make sure you find just the right viewing spot, especially if you're traveling with a larger group.
3. Come hungry!  McMenamins offers a full menu so you can enjoy a movie and a burger too!
4. Bring mom and dad for a matinee.  McMenamins serves beer, wine and cocktails so minors are allowed only at the matinees with a parent or guardian. 

The movies shown at McMenimens are typically a few weeks to months out of the Regal theaters making McMenimens is a fun inexpensive way to see the movies you missed on the big screen well...on the big screen!  So put a few bucks in your pocket and head on over to McMenamins Old St. Francis School for the Movies, food, beer and fun!

365 Things to do in Bend, Oregon - The Little Woody Barrel Aged Brew Festival this Labor Day Weekend in Downtown Bend.  The Little Woody Barrel Aged Brew Festival Celebrates our local Brewers and showcases their beers brewed in wine barrels, whiskey barrels and oak barrels. This is a fun opportunity for Beer lovers to meet the brewers and sample some of Central Oregon and the Northwests finest micro-brewers. This 2010 festival will also include the opportunity to sample bourbons for an additional charge.

This Labor Day Weekend in Downtown Bend - Check out the Little Woody Barrel Aged Brew Festival

When: Friday September 3, 2010 from 5-10pm & Saturday September 4, 2010 12-10pm

Where: Des Chutes Historical Museum in Downtown Bend on the lawn

Cost: $6 includes a glass and tasting tickets

The 2010 Little Woody Barrel Aged Brew Festival Participating Breweries include:

• 10 Barrel Brewing Co.
• Bend Brewing Co.
• Block 15
• Boneyard Beer
  
• Cascade Lakes Brewing Co.
• Deschutes Brewery
• McMenamins Old St. Francis School
• Ninkasi Brewing
• Silver Moom Brewing Co.
• Three Creeks Brewing Co.

For full details on the beers and bourbons these fine brewers are showcasing check out the Little Woody Barrel Aged Brew Festivals website. A portion of the proceeds from the festival will benefit the Des Chutes Historical Museum. If you're a beer and bourbon fan the Barrel Aged Brew Festival is a must do event for your Labor Day weekend in Bend.

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365 Things to do in Bend Oregon - Alley Jam in Downtown Bend, OR. This weekend is the first every Alley Jam being held in Tin Pan Alley between the Connecting Point and Bo Asian Bistro.

What is Alley Jam? Skatboarding, Art, Music and Food...sounds awesome! There will be open skate and competitions so bring your board and be ready to showcase your skills. This is a Free family event but bring a little cash to spend to benefit both the Skatepark and the American Cancer Society.

When: Saturday, August 28, 2010

Time: 3:00 pm - 10:00 pm

Where: Downtown Bend in Tin Pan Alley

Cost: FREE - The event is self is free but please purchase food, raffle tickets or art on display as the money will go directly to benefit the skatepark project and the American Cancer Society.

For more information on Alley Jam or the Division Street Skatepark project check out the Division Street Skatepark Project online!There are great pictures on the website of the Alley Jam prep as well as details about the Skatepark Project.

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Things to do in Bend OR - Make Happy Hour a Family Affair with Cheap Eats at Local Bend Restaurants

Happy Hour isn't just for college kids and adults looking for cheep drinks. Happy Hour is a great way to enjoy local Bend, OR restaurants on a budget with the whole family. Take the kids out for an early dinner on a budget while enjoying great food. Most of our Bend restaurants start Happy Hour's run from approx 4:00 - 6:00.

Did you know that Amalia's in downtown Bend has a $2 Tuesday Local's Day. All food on the Happy Hour Menu is $2. What a great way to spend a family night $2 food followed by a walk at Drake Park. 

OR

Try the patio at Scanlon's before it gets too cold. Scanlon's offers a great kids menu along with a delicious Happy Hour Menu. Best of all when the kids get restless they can run and play on the courtyard playground while Mom & Dad enjoy adult friendly food.

For more information about all the Happy Hour Specials check out Bend Happy Hour online at BendHappyHour.com. This fun and informative website offers menus with food and drink specials at restaurants in Downtown Bend, Old Mill and all over Central Oregon. Tons of local restaurants offer Happy Hours but due to OLCC rules they aren't able to advertise. Bend Happy Hour is an independent source doing the research and providing us all the info!

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Celebrate Summer 2010 Downtown at the Bank of the Cascades Bend Summer Festival!

One of the best things about living in Bend are the endless supply of festivals and concerts! This weekend is no exception and hosts one of the biggest festivals of the summer.

According to C3 Events who has been putting on the Summer Festival for 20 years, over 150 artists showcasing their work, local food vendors, international food, beer wine, cocktails. C3 Events always does a stellar job of putting on festivals, here's what they had do say about Summer Fest:

This production is more than art, music, food, entertainment, and fun—it is a tremendous device to bring our community together, to gather, to stay connected, all in the context of celebrating this great downtown of ours. So join us to live it, taste it, chew it, view it, hear it, and dance it, (got it?) at the Bank of the Cascades Bend Summer Festival 2010!

For the Kids: True North Parenting Magazine sponsors the kids area complete with inflatables, arts, crafts, water games and a block party. Bring the kids to Mirror Pond plaza Saturday night from 6 - 8 pm in their PJ's for the Pajamy Jam! Th kids can rock out at the Pajamy Jam with music, dancing drawing and finish with a bedtime story If you like music then you must attend the

Bank of Cascades Summer Festival? Here's weekends schedule of free concerts! Saturday July 10th Clear 101.7 Main Stage

The Samples Pronghorn Jazz, Wine & Gourmet Foods Stage

KPOV Locals Stage

True North Parenting Kids Stage

Sunday July 11th Clear 101.7 Main Stage - Saxon's Fine Jewelers Sunday Gospel Brunch - Tickets are $14 and can be purchased at Saxon's

Pronghorn Jazz, Wine & Gourmet Foods Stage

KPOV Locals Stage

True North Parenting Kids Stage

Hope to see you at the Bank of Cascades Summer Festival in Downtown Bend, we'll be headed downtown Bend early afternoon with our walking shoes on. The kids are ready for the excitement!