Wildfire season has reached Central Oregon as we saw with the surreal wind and smoke filled skies on Monday that fueled the massive growth of the Lionshead fire. The lightning caused fire started on the Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs Reservation approximately 14 miles west of the Warm Springs community and has spread to the Willamette National Forest and beyond. The Lionshead Fire is being managed with a full suppression strategy. This fire has consumed over 90,000 acres of forest and much of that has been in just the last couple of days. For perspective the Green Ridge fire that has been burning for almost a month has burned just over 4,000 acres.

The image above of the US Fire…

GraviCross is back September 12 & 13 at Mt. Bachelor. More INFO HERE.

On Saturday, think bikes, downhill riding, XC racing, slope-styling and gravel-grinding…smash them all together into one event and you have the 4th Annual ‘GraviCross’ race, presented by 10 Barrel Brewing Company at Mt. Bachelor. This bike park inspired course will consist of approximately 5 miles of next level FUN!

The course will require riders to navigate over uphill climbs, downhill sections, bike park features, drops, berms, rock gardens, and other surprising obstacles. There will be multiple divisions with different time allotments — the fastest rider wins, with time bonuses for features and uphill sections taken into consideration. Prizes will also be awarded to men’s and women’s competitors with…

Our community is very fortunate to have many great non profit organizations making a difference to enhance people’s lives. You can find many of these organizations on our ‘Get Involved’ page. In this profile we highlight the Assistance League of Bend. Consider ways you can ‘Get Involved’ and make a difference. More INFO HERE.

Assistance League of Bend is an all-volunteer, 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization making a difference in the lives of children and adults dealing with poverty, homelessness, and cancer in Deschutes County.  We serve the community through a number of philanthropic programs which include new school clothes for students living in poverty, memory books for foster children, personal care items for low-income seniors, and handmade hats for cancer…

Saturday, September 5, 2020 at 5 PM – 8 PM. Hosted by The Parnells, Crater Lake Spirits and Elk Lake Resort and Marina

The last of this summer’s Elk Music On The Water series. Come out for the last weekend of summer and hear some live local music and take in the Central Oregon Cascades.

Join us for our 2020 Music on the Water Summer Series sponsored by Boneyard Beer and Crater Lake Spirits and enjoy free great music by our extremely talented local and regional bands! Music starts at 5:00PM in-between the lodge and the lake. MORE INFO HERE.

This year’s concert series has changed to ensure…

Thursday, September 3, 2020 at 7 PM – 8:30 PM. Hosted by Science on Tap – Oregon & Washington

For billions of years, night on this planet was lit only by the moon and stars, and life evolved under regular cycles of bright days and dark nights. All that has changed in the last 130 years, and night on Earth is now liberally colonized with artificial light. The overabundance of light at night has dire ecological consequences for plants, birds, fish, amphibians and other wildlife, as well as for human health, safety and culture. MORE INFO HERE. 

At this Science on Tap we will delve into the importance of darkness for nocturnal wildlife as well…

Sunday Sept 6, 2020. Get MORE INFO HERE. 

There have not been very many bike events this summer, but this one is happening. It’s a chance to race or ride recreationally with like minded folks who love mountain bike racing. Spots are still available. GET TICKETS HERE.

One amazing MTB race for all levels of fitness on Labor Day Weekend! Choose a great 13 or 28 mile loop with a Horse lead out for the longer loop for the Men and Women’s fastest fields! Bring your family to Sisters Oregon and Giddy up with Five Pine Lodge, Three Creeks Brewing and Blazin Saddles.

Pro Rodeo returns to Central Oregon. The Cascade Chute Out. Sept 15-19 at the Deschutes County Fair & Expo Center.

Bridwell Pro Rodeos, Four Star Rodeo and Corey and Lange deliver a week’s worth of Professional Rodeo this September 15-19, 2020 at the Deschutes County Fair & Expo’s Juniper Arena.  Each performance will feature top quality livestock animal athletes in the heart of Central Oregon.  At least 15 Wrangler National Finals Rodeo animals compete in a team challenge that puts both stock contractors and the Central Oregon Pro Rodeos they serve into a head-to-head competition.

Tickets and Information HERE. 

The High Desert Stampede, Sisters Rodeo and Crooked River Roundup committees have joined Bridwell Pro Rodeos and the…

The Little Woody Barrel-Aged Beer & Cider Festival celebrates barrel-aged libations from across the Northwest

Sept 18 -19, 2020. TICKETS and INFORMATION HERE.

Due to the restrictions regarding large gatherings, we have partnered with downtown businesses for a fabulous walking tour that will allow you to imbibe your favorite wood-cask ales, ciders and whiskeys all the while social distancing. The elixirs you have come to know and love will all be here, you’ll just need to tie up your walking shoes to find them. Starting at the original home of the Little Woody – The Deschutes Historical Museum Parking lot – participants will receive a traditional tasting glass, a punch card and a…

Tuesday Sep 1st, 6:30 PM – 8:30 PM Online Event

How to watch the event: Visit https://www.facebook.com/omsi.museum/live/ or join us on YouTube https://www.youtube.com/c/omsimuseum

SEPT 1, 2020 | Virtual Edition | 6:30-8:30PM | $5 suggested donation (www.omsi.edu/donate)

National Parks of the Pacific Northwest – Incredible Treasures of Geology with Scott Burns, PhD, Professor of Geology at Portland State University

We have six incredible, exciting national parks here in the Pacific Northwest. Dr. Burns, who has been teaching a course at Portland State University on the national parks for 28 years, is a specialist in the geological history of these parks: Rainier, Crater Lake,…

Here’s a story that is positive and inspiring to get your weekend off to a feel good start. Grab a cup of coffee and enjoy Marty’s message of resilience.

Meet Marty Loudder– associate dean and professor at Texas A&M. With the help of Chris Taylor, of Fishheads of the San Juan, Marty has overcome the difficulties of her physical limitations due to childhood Polio so that she can enjoy time on the water with her family. This incredible story of determination and perseverance is an inspiration for us all to never let anything deter us from following our passions. Marty has some amazing techniques that enable her to fly fish confidently and successfully. Seeing the whole family light up with…