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Time to Explore
Living here in the High Desert, we’re fortunate to have some extraordinary places to explore within minutes, or just a few hours away. With the arrival of summer, do what locals do, and pack up your bike, SUP, boat, RV or hiking boots and set out for the adventure that awaits. An enjoyable time will leave you wanting to do it all over again, and if things go sideways, at least you have a good story to tell.

This issue introduces you to Muriel and Gail Carbiener, who are tireless advocates for the preservation of the Oregon Trail. They share their story and point out a few places in Oregon to explore and also learn about the history of the Oregon Trail.
We also share the story of Around the Bend Farms, operating small farm sites in Deschutes River Woods and Jefferson County. They partner with nonprofits to grow and distribute fresh produce while helping Central Oregonians better understand the journey food takes from soil to table.
Be sure to check out the excerpt in this issue from our latest City Lifestyle podcast featuring Jen Cohen, fitness expert and best-selling author, and her “10% Target Mindset” as well.
We’ve also included some refreshing camping cocktail recipes for relaxing evenings this summer in this issue. I hope you take time to soak up the short season we have to play in the High Desert sun.

Here’s to an adventurous summer!
RIAL, PUBLISHER
July 2026
PUBLISHER
Jane Rial | jane.rial@citylifestyle.com
EDITOR
Lynette Confer | lynette.confer@citylifestyle.com
CONTRIBUTING WRITERS
Donna Burklo, Lynette Confer, Julie E. Furnas, Kali Kasprzyk
CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS
Sierra Confer, Eva Gill, Janie Jones, Shadow Bear Media
Corporate Team
CEO Steven Schowengerdt
President Matthew Perry
COO David Stetler
CRO Jamie Pentz
CoS Janeane Thompson
AD DESIGNER Evan Deuvall
LAYOUT DESIGNER Kelsey Ragain
QUALITY CONTROL SPECIALIST Megan Cagle


Learn how to start your own publication at citylifestyle.com/franchise.



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JULY 18 – OCTOBER 2, 2026


city scene
WHERE NEIGHBORS CAN SEE AND BE SEEN







1: MountainStar Family Relief Nursery recognized Child Abuse Prevention month in April with community events. 2: Held at the Inn at Cross Keys Station in Madras, this event raised $22,000 for local children and families. 3: This Madras event was a powerful reflection of connection, generosity and shared commitment to keep kids safe. 4: MountainStar’s annual diaper drive reminds us that small acts of support make a big impact for children and caregivers. 5: The MountainStar Prineville Community Table event, raising $15,000, was held at Eastside Church on April 21. 6: The annual Keep Kids Safe Diaper Drive collects essential items to reduce stress for local families with young children. 7: Community members, partners and supporters came together on April 9 at MountainStar’s Madras Community Table event.
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Hearing Aids by Tricia Leagjeld Becomes Area’s Exclusive Lyric Provider
With over 30 years experience, Tricia Leagjeld continues her family legacy by offering the latest hearing technology while adhering to Industry Best Practices to ensure optimal patient outcomes. She is proud to be Central Oregon’s exclusive provider of Lyric, a 100% invisible hearing solution designed for 24/7 wear, with no batteries to charge or change. Now serving two locations, together with Shayne Blanton, HIS, in NorthWest Crossing at 695 NW York Drive in Bend and in Redmond at 708 SW 11th St. HearingAidsByTriciaLeagjeld.com

Art in the High Desert Returns to Bend
Art in the High Desert, recognized by USA Today as one of the top 10 art festivals in the nation, returns August 28-30. Riverbend Park will transform into an open-air gallery showcasing over 125 acclaimed artists from across North America. Meet artists and purchase original works across 15 diverse categories at this juried show. Open Friday 5-8pm, Saturday 10am-6pm and Sunday 10am-4pm. Free parking, free admission and a free (new this year!) shuttle service available at the Park and Float across from The Pavilion. ArtInTheHighDesert.com

Oregon High Desert Classics Returns for One Week in July
The Oregon High Desert Classics returns to Bend July 8-12, bringing together world-class equestrian competition, family-friendly fun, and community. As a major fundraiser supporting J Bar J Youth

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Services and their programs empowering vulnerable youth in Central Oregon, the event welcomes riders, spectators, vendors, and sponsors to support one of Central Oregon’s premier summer traditions. Join us ringside for this celebration of horses, community, and empowering youth. For more information visit: OregonHighDesertClassics.org

Art in the West Exhibition and Auction Returns to Celebrate the High Desert
On July 18, the High Desert Museum will unveil this year’s Art in the West exhibition and online auction, featuring a captivating blend of traditional and contemporary artworks inspired by the High Desert. Boasting nearly 130 pieces crafted by acclaimed painters, sculptors, photographers and more, this exhibition celebrates the people, wildlife, landscapes, cultures and history of the region. The exhibition and online bidding closes on October 2 with a celebration. Shown above: Fox Seeking Water in the Northern Great Basin, by Judy Hoiness. HighDesertMuseum.org
Photography by Eva Gill
Photography by Judy Hoiness



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Rooted in Community
Around the Bend Farms Helps Central Oregon Explore Food, Connection, and Community Through Regenerative Agriculture
When it comes to food, it can be easy to focus only on what’s on your plate – and miss the deeper connections it creates. But exploring where our food comes from has the power to reconnect us not only to nourishment, but also to community, to the rhythms of the seasons, and to the land itself. In a fast-moving world where convenience often overshadows connection, slowing down to explore local food systems becomes an act of both wellness and awareness. We can nourish body, mind and community alike.
At Around the Bend Farms (ATBF), that exploration happens every day.
Operating small farm sites in Deschutes River Woods and Jefferson County, each less than an acre, this nonprofit works at the intersection of regenerative agriculture, food access, education and community care. Through partnerships with Warm Springs, The Giving Plate, Family Kitchen and other nonprofits, the farm grows and distributes fresh produce while helping Central Oregonians better understand the journey food takes from soil to table.
(l to r) Josh Lesko, ATBF Lead Farm Manager; Ben Marsh, ATBF Founder and CEO; Kelly Moffatt, ATBF Executive Director
For Executive Director Kelly Moffatt and Lead Farm Manager Josh Lesko, local food is about more than fruits and vegetables. It is about helping people explore seasonal eating, support local farms and reconnect with something increasingly rare in this modern day: a meaningful relationship with the source of their nourishment.
Q & A WITH KELLY MOFFATT, ATBF EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Q: For readers who may be unfamiliar with ATBF, tell us a bit about what you all do.
A: Around the Bend Farms, Inc. was founded in 2015 by Ben Marsh. We have been farming locally on our small parcel in Deschutes River Woods for going on three years and the small farm in Culver for going on two years.
We are a nonprofit farm focused on food access, education, and regenerative agriculture. A huge part of our work is making sure fresh, nutrient-dense food reaches communities that may not otherwise have access to it, particularly in Jefferson County and Warm Springs. We also want people to reconnect with where their food comes from and understand the impact local farming can have on community health and resilience. Last year we were able to donate over 1,500 pounds of food to The Giving Plate and over 1,800 pounds of food to Warm Springs. We also had over 100 volunteers last year giving their time to support our efforts here at the farm.
Q: Tell us a bit about your background and work in farming and food access.
A: My path into this work has been shaped by both my background in nutrition and dietetics and a growing awareness of the gaps in our food system. As a dietitian, I’ve seen firsthand that it’s not enough to talk about healthy eating if people don’t have consistent access to fresh, quality food. I worked with High Desert Food and Farm Alliance and managed their VeggieRx program. That job connected me with Ben, who contacted me about farming for Warm Springs. This lead to the creation of our “Farm to Warm Springs” program, and ultimately to my current role.
Q: Why is local food such an important part of conversations?
A: When food is grown locally, it generally stays within the community. This food is fresher, more nutrient-dense, and often harvested much closer to peak ripeness.



There is also something powerful about knowing the people growing your food.
Q: Food security continues to affect many Central Oregonians. What are you seeing right now?
A: The need is growing significantly, especially as funding sources for food access programs continue to shrink. At the same time, food pantries and community kitchens are struggling with reduced purchasing power. Fresh produce is one of the hardest things for families to access consistently, so local farms really do play an important role in helping fill that gap.
We have such a unique scenario in Central Oregon. Deschutes County is one of the wealthiest and least diverse counties in Oregon. Our neighbor, Jefferson County, is one of the poorest and most diverse in Oregon. Deschutes County has a lot of resources; Jefferson County does not. Our farm serves both counties. We are working to partner with other organizations and agencies to get food out into our communities where it is needed the most. There is a growing gap, and we are seeing more people becoming food insecure.
Q: ATBF places strong emphasis on education. Why is that piece important?
A: Education creates sustainability. We work with volunteers, school groups, camps and community members to teach everything from composting and soil health to harvesting and regenerative growing practices, and even bee keeping. We want people – especially kids – to understand that food doesn’t just appear on shelves or tables.
Q: What gives you hope as you look ahead?
A: The community response. People genuinely want to reconnect – with the land, with local food, and with each other. We see it through volunteers, CSA members, partnerships, and even simple conversations at the farmers markets. There is a growing awareness that healthy communities depend on healthy local food systems.
For Lead Farm Manager Josh Lesko, that connection begins with the soil itself.
Q & A WITH JOSH LESKO, ATBF LEAD FARM MANAGER
Q: What first drew you to farming and urban agriculture?
A: I have a major in Environment and Sustainability with a minor in Urban Studies from the University of British Columbia. But honestly, I have learned the most from the hands-on experience I gained working on various farms, including farm-to-table operations. Farming teaches patience, observation, and adaptability in a way books really can’t. I fell in love with the process – planting seeds, watching things grow, and seeing the direct impact food can have in a community.
Q: What does your day-to-day look like as the Lead Farm Manager?
A: We try to farm in a slower and more mindful way. We use traditional hand tools, avoid chemicals, and really pay attention to the ecosystem around us. Sometimes that means noticing ladybugs naturally taking care of aphids or seeing soil health improve over time. Farming isn’t just about production; it’s about building a relationship with the land. It’s about stewardship.
It’s hard work with long days. It’s not a glamorous job. We work year-round, with the slower seasons dedicated to planning and fundraising.
Q: What are some of the things you grow at ATBF?
A: We are successfully growing crops like carrots, potatoes, corn, lettuce, herbs and strawberries, to name a few. As much as possible, we choose crops based on the success in our local climate, along with consultations with our food access partners to meet community needs and reduce waste.
Our farm operates on small parcels of land. This model aims to convert underutilized land into productive agricultural space and demonstrates that with investment, parcels of land like this can be used to improve food access.
Q: What are some of the unique challenges facing farmers and growing in Central Oregon?
A: We have to have a lot of patience. We have a very short and unpredictable growing season, and frost can happen almost anytime. Water is also a major concern. To thrive, we learn which crops thrive here and how to work with the conditions rather than against them.
Q: ATBF works closely with other nonprofits and community organizations. Why are these partnerships so essential?
A: None of this work happens alone. We partner with organizations and community programs because collaboration creates a stronger local food system. Everybody brings something valuable to the table.
Q: How can people in the community support ATBF?
A: They can sign up for a CSA subscription, which entitles them to a box per week of fresh produce throughout the year. CSA stands for Community Supported Agriculture and it’s really one of my favorite models of agriculture.
A CSA membership fee helps us pay for our seeds, our soil, our tools… everything we need to get things growing. When it comes to picking up the weekly CSA boxes, members can find us at the Elevation Farmers Market every Friday from 3 to 7 p.m.
One thing we really need is donations to keep the farm funded, growing and to help expand our team. We also welcome volunteer support – from help on the farm with



harvesting to help in the office, even help with fundraising. We welcome input, ideas and support and encourage involvement here at the farm.
CULTIVATING CONNECTION
In many ways, ATBF does more than grow food. It helps cultivate awareness – of the labor behind nourishment, the fragility of local food systems, and the quiet but essential value of community connection.
“When someone has access to fresh nourishing food, when they understand where it came from, and when they feel part of that process, it shifts more than just what they choose to eat, it builds resilience, dignity, and community,” states Moffatt. “At Around the Bend Farms, we are working to make that connection more accessible, especially for under-resourced populations. That is what keeps me committed to this work and excited about where it can go.”

Adds Lesko, “I hope everyone realizes that they can participate in what we are doing here and help further our mission. Even growing a few herbs or vegetables at home can reconnect someone to nature and to their food in a meaningful way. Supporting local farms isn’t just about buying produce – it’s about investing in healthier communities, stronger local economies and a more resilient future.”
ATBF in Deschutes River Woods
In a Rut?

Time to Explore the Oregon Trail!
ARTICLE BY DONNA BURKLO


In 1993, 57-year old Muriel Carbiener stepped out of her vehicle and into the Eastern Oregon sagebrush. “You want me to hike in THIS?” she asked her husband Gail Carbiener, then 59. The trust earned over their 36 years of marriage won Gail the privilege of introducing his wife to the “ruts”. The ruts are, in this case, the indentations in the earth made by the wheels of the covered wagons passing through on their way from Missouri to Oregon’s Willamette Valley along the Oregon Trail over 150 years ago.
Fast forward 33 years later and spry 90-year-old Muriel still fights back tears thinking about it. “I understood immediately that I was standing where thousands of people who had walked all the way from Missouri had been. They didn’t ride in the wagons, you know. Those were for supplies. They walked.” Gail, a lifelong hiker and tireless advocate for the preservation of the Oregon Trail and other
Muriel & Gail Carbiener
Photo credit: Sierra Confer

natural spaces added, “The Oregon Trail is special. Walking in the footsteps of emigrants, hiking in ruts in 90-degree weather, you feel it.”
With this special perspective in mind, the Carbieners, official “Rut Nuts”, recommend a few places for you and your family to explore with Oregon Trail education in mind.
SARAH KING CHAMBERS GRAVESITE
Traveling from Central Oregon east on Hwy 20, this is the site furthest off the beaten path in our tour, yet still well worth a visit. Just before Juntura, turn left on Beulah Road, heading toward the Beulah Reservoir. On this dirt road travel 16 miles past the reservoir, turn left on Beal Ranch Road, and go about 3.25 miles farther. Her grave is on the bluff on the right opposite a hay shed on the left.
Chambers was a pioneer, wife, and mother who died along the Oregon trail. Her burial site, including the original headstone, is maintained by the Oregon California Trails Association (OCTA). Due to exposure to the elements, the wagon ruts are not visible at this site, yet it is worth the 40-mile loop trip from Juntura. Chukar Park is along the way for a picnic stop, camping, fishing and birding.
KEENEY PASS INTERPRETIVE SITE
A right turn off Hwy 20 onto Lyle Boulevard brings you to the site named after fur trader Jonathan Keeney who set out on the trail at age 19. This is an easy stop for a 0.7-mile wander that includes rut sightings. The initial portion of the trail is accessible, including visible ruts along this portion. Look for cement posts on Lyle Blvd, every 1/4 mile on the trail ruts.

NATIONAL HISTORIC OREGON TRAIL INTERPRETIVE CENTER
Turn back toward Vale and take Hwy 20 to Ontario then north on I-84 to Baker City. The Interpretive Center is east of town and you might just think you missed it, yet press on for a real treat. There are interactive exhibits, live presentations, dioramas, and, yes, ruts! Baker City and its surrounds offer plenty of dining, camping, and recreational activities if this is a place you’d like to linger.
OREGON TRAIL VISITORS PARK AT BLUE MOUNTAIN CROSSING
Back on I-84 toward Pendleton and north of La Grande, if you pay attention, you’ll see signs for an Oregon Trail Park. Follow these and you’ll come to another site with interpretive signage and a loop trail (accessible) that includes trail sightings. Ruts here are deep within the groves of trees. An excellent stop along your way!
COLUMBIA GORGE DISCOVERY CENTER AND MUSEUM
Among the many treasures in The Dalles, you’ll find the Columbia Gorge Discovery Center and Museum which features, among many others, a permanent Oregon Trail exhibit. With all the center has to offer, you will want to spend some time here. The Dalles also offers many restaurants, breweries, and places to stay.
While these are locations the Carbieners highlighted, they point also to many additional stops along the way. All are detailed in a free downloadable book entitled, National Historic Trails Auto Tour Route Interpretive Guide Across Oregon at NPS. gov/OREG or by downloading the NPS (National Park Service) app on Apple or Android and following the ‘Oregon Trail across Oregon and Washington’ guided tour.
“The Oregon Trail is special. Walking in the footsteps of emigrants, hiking in ruts in 90-degree weather, you feel it."
—Gail Carbiener, advocate for the preservation of the Oregon Trail
If you’re wondering who maintains and updates these important historic sites, the answer was hidden above with the mention of the Oregon California Trails Association (OCTA). The Carbieners have spent countless hours over decades volunteering for this organization, and they highly recommend that you check it out to support or get involved.
Lastly, no good trail steward would allow an exploration to begin without these important reminders:
• Leave no trace
• Take your time
• Read the interpretive signage
• Imagine life as it was long ago
• Keep exploring!
OCTA-Trails.org NPS.gov/OREG
Wagon trail ruts along the Oregon Trail.










SUMMER NIGHTS TRAILSIDE COCKTAILS
Simple Camping Cocktails Designed for Relaxing Evenings Beneath the Open Summer Sky
ARTICLE BY JULIE E. FURNAS
Summer campouts offer the perfect opportunity to slow down, reconnect and embrace the beauty of the great outdoors. Whether exploring the lakes, trails and forests of Central Oregon or simply gathering around a campfire beneath the stars, camping creates lasting memories rooted in adventure and relaxation.
At the end of a full day of summer campout activities, a signature cocktail for adult company to enjoy can add a nice touch to the outdoor experience. Daytime beverages usually include non-alcoholic drinks, light beers and plenty of water. However, when the sun sets and it’s time to fire up that grill it’s also time to get those cocktail ingredients ready.
Two of our favorite recipes for a perfect summer camping trip are the Oregon Old Fashioned and the Bourbon Blueberry Smash. With local Bourbon and fresh ingredients like blueberries, lemon juice, orange zest and mint – these delicious cocktails promise go well with steak, burgers, chicken and even as an aperitif for star gazing.
OLD FASHIONEDS
BATCHED OLD FASHIONEDS
A day or so before your camping trip, batch up this recipe and have it ready to go for the trip. This includes 1 bottle (750 ml) of Burnside Oregon Oaked Bourbon, 1 ½ ounces of simple syrup and ½ ounce of Angostura bitters. Mix and set aside in an airtight pitcher, something that will travel well. This will be good for 12 cocktails, double if necessary. When ready to pour drinks, follow these steps: Put a square or larger ice cubes in your glass or camping cup. Pour batched mixture just above the ice cube(s). Put an orange wedge and a cocktail cherry in the glass and stir well, and enjoy!
INDIVIDUAL OLD FASHIONEDS
Ingredients:
• 2 tsp water
• 1 tsp demerara or granulated sugar
• 3 dashes Angostura bitters
• Cubed ice (not crushed)
• 2 ounces of bourbon or Crater Lake Straight American Rye Whiskey
• 1 wide strip orange peel or orange wedges
• 1 to 2 cocktail cherries, for garnish (optional)
Instructions:
Stir 2 teaspoons water, 1 teaspoon demerara sugar, and 3 dashes Angostura bitters together in a mixing glass or cocktail shaker until the sugar is nearly dissolved. Fill a cold camping cup or old-fashioned glass with ice. Fill the mixing glass or cocktail shaker with ice, add 2 ounces bourbon and stir until chilled. Pour the cocktail through a strainer into the glass. Twist the orange peel directly over the cocktail’s surface or put in an orange wedge and stir. Garnish with 1 or 2 cocktail cherries and enjoy!
BOURBON BLUEBERRY SMASH
The Bourbon Blueberry Smash is a slightly more involved cocktail. However, it is worth the effort and will soon be one of the best parts of the trip! Prep for this cocktail can include getting the fresh ingredients separated into different containers and making sure they stay cold.
Ingredients:
• 3/4 cup blueberries
• 2 tbsp of fresh lemon juice
• 4 fresh mint leaves
• Cubed ice
• 2 ounces of Burnside Oregon Oaked Bourbon
• 4 ounces of ginger beer
• 2 small sprigs fresh mint for garnish
Instructions:
Divide 2/3 cup blueberries, lemon juice and mint leaves between 2 glasses or cold camping cups. Muddle inside of the glasses to crush the berries and mint. This can also be done in a shaker. Top the muddled blueberry mixture with ice. Add the bourbon and ginger beer; stir to combine all the ingredients. Garnish with remaining blueberries and mint sprigs. Enjoy!


ARTICLE BY KALI KASPRZYK
PHOTOGRAPHY BY JANIE JONES
MAKEUP BY MIKAYLA CRANE
The 10% Target Mindset
Jen Cohen ON THE PRACTICE OF ASKING FOR WHAT YOU WANT
Winnipeg in the winter, and a 17-year-old waits 45 minutes in the cold for Keanu Reeves. Her fingers are numb. She is not there for an autograph. She is there to ask him to appear in her audition tape for MuchMusic, Canada’s MTV. When he finally agrees, she writes her number on a gum wrapper with a borrowed lip liner.
He calls days later.
That 17-year-old was Jen Cohen — fitness expert, host of the Habits & Hustle podcast, and best-selling author. She has built a career on the premise her frostbitten afternoon proved. She calls the practice the 10% Target: 10 attempts at whatever you want most in life.
The premise is simple. Most people never make one attempt. Almost nobody makes two. The math works in favor of the person who keeps going.
The top-rated Habits & Hustle podcast has logged hundreds of conversations with high performers and the people who study what the body does to the mind. Her TEDx talk, The Secret to Getting Anything You Want in Life, has traveled widely inside Fortune 500 sales-training rooms. On the Share the Lifestyle podcast, Cohen sits down to share the working rules that are the foundation of her latest book, Bigger, Better, Bolder.
“You have to be the CEO of your own life.”
FEATURING JEN COHEN
Discover the full 10% Target Mindset framework.


1 2
MAKE TEN ATTEMPTS
The door opens, or another door does. The unmade attempt and the refused one leave you in the same place — except one of them teaches you something.
STACK THE DECK
Cohen frames her habits as a wager: How do I stack the deck so I win more than I lose? The workout happens first, and the food decisions follow. The email follow-up gets sent, and the answer arrives. The choices compound in a single direction.
3
DISCIPLINE IS A PRACTICED SKILL, NOT AN INHERITANCE
No one is born with it. The people who look disciplined are running a routine they have rehearsed long enough that it no longer feels like effort. The reps are the skill. Miss them, and the skill fades, the same as any other.
4
SELF-TALK ONLY WORKS WHEN THE BODY BACKS IT UP
Confidence does not arrive by repeating the word. It arrives after the body has done the thing — the workout finished, the cold walk endured, the email sent. The mind takes its cues from what the body proves it can do. Talk follows action, not the other way around.
5
NEVER MISS A MONDAY
The first decision sets the slope of the rest. Skip the Monday workout, and the rest of the week tends to follow. Hold the line on Monday, and the slope tilts the other way.





A SELECTION
JULY 4TH
July 4th Bend Pet Parade
Downtown Bend | 9:30 AM
In partnership with the City of Bend, the July 4th Pet Parade is a community tradition since 1924. Parade in costume with your pet or stuffed animal on pulled wagons, bikes or trikes or watch all the action on the parade route. Staging is set for Harmon Park; parade route is the same as the Christmas Parade and Veterans Day Parade. BendParksandRec.org
JULY 10TH-12TH & 17TH-19TH
2026 Central Oregon
Builder’s Association
Tour of Homes
Various locations | 12:00 PM
A most anticipated showcase of residential design and construction, featuring a diverse range of stunning homes crafted by the region’s top builders. This annual event highlights innovative architecture, cutting-edge features, and the latest in interior and exterior design trends. Offering something for every style and budget, this event is free and open to the public.
Fridays 12-6 p.m.; Saturdays & Sundays 10-6 p.m. COBATourofHomes.com
JULY 11TH
30th Annual Deschutes River Cleanup

Various locations along Deschutes River | 9:00 AM
The Upper Deschutes Watershed Council is hosting the 30th annual Deschutes River Cleanup with activities taking place at six sites along the river: Farewell Bend Park, First Street Trail, La Pine State Park, Riverbend Park, Sunriver and Tumalo State Park. Volunteers will help pull invasive weeds and remove litter























CONTINUED
from the river and streambanks. Register online for your cleanup site. UpperDeschutesWatershedCouncil.org
JULY 24TH-26TH
Balloons Over Bend
R.E. Jewell Elementary | 6:00 AM
This will be a weekend to remember with the Bend Night Glow featuring an evening of music, food, marketplace and glow-in-the-dark balloons. Take the kids to the Balloon Blast race for a chance to stack up some points in our Kid’s Rock the Races series! Don’t forget to get up early to watch free balloon launches each morning at dawn. BalloonsOverBend.com
JULY 25TH
Rod DeGeorge at Hardtails in Sisters
Hardtails Outlaw Country Dive Bar & Grill, Sisters | 7:00 PM
Local guitarist Rod DeGeorge performs at Hardtails Outlaw Country Dive Bar & Grill in Sisters as part of their summer concert series. Having spent more than three decades touring, recording, producing and teaching, DeGeorge plays a mix of classic blues-rock guitar virtuosity, paying tribute to some of the greatest guitar gods in history. 21 and over show. DeGeorgeMusic.com
JULY 30TH
Wanderlust Tours:
Derrick Cave - Lava Tube Cave Tours
Wanderlust Tours, 61535 S. Hwy 97, Ste. 13 | 8:30 AM
Tucked away in an ocean of sagebrush and ponderosa, Derrick Cave features stunning skylights, massive caverns and endless adventure. Wanderlust Tours is the only guiding outfit permitted in this stunning cave. This 2-hour naturalist guided experience includes gear (helmet and headlamp), a picnic-style lunch and transportation. Dress in layers, wear closed-toe shoes and bring snacks, water bottle, daypack and camera. WanderlustTours.com





