Looking for free public events in Bend? Below we have public outreach events hosted by the Bend Park and Recreation District, as well as a calendar of public community events held on park properties. Interested in learning more about hosting an event in a park? Learn more.
The District offers several community events each year including our Old Fashioned July 4th Pet Parade & Festival, Discover Nature Day, Wellness Fair and more!
Presented by Bend Pet Express
Join us for a Bend tradition dating back to 1932 – a July 4th filled with old fashioned fun, food and festivities brought to you by Bend Park & Recreation District. The day begins with a pancake breakfast and the ever popular Pet Parade where dogs, wagons, bicycles and stuffed animal walk the 1.5 mile parade through downtown Bend, Oregon.
After the Pet Parade, residents head over to Drake Park to enjoy live music, local artisans crafts, food carts and FREE old fashioned fun and games for the kiddos and kid’s at heart.
Learn more about the Old Fashioned July 4th Pet Parade and festival.
Presented by Bend Park and Recreation Foundation
Sponsored by the Bend Park and Recreation Foundation, Days of Play runs at various parks in the community on weekdays from June through August. Children in the community have the opportunity to participate in crafts, water play, field games, sports activities and much more. Come enjoy these great recreational activities at no cost. See the current Summer Playbook or check the events calendar around mid April for exact times and locations.
Days of Play parks are also Bend-La Pine School District summer lunch program locations, too!
Note: This program may be canceled without prior notice due to bad weather. Days of Play is not a daycare program and should not be used as such. Every child under the age of 8 must be accompanied by a person over the age of 16. This program does not require registration. Children may come and go as they wish. Because of the popularity of this program, take-home activities will be available on a first-come, first-serve basis and limited to one per child.
Presented by the Children’s Forest of Central Oregon Partners
Bring your family to a different park each week, from July through August, for an interactive experience and learn, play and have fun in nature! Each week has a unique nature themed and activities. The District uploads the events to the event calendar when the Summer Playbook hits mailboxes around mid April. See the events calendar in mid April or current Summer Playbook for event details.
Community barbecue sponsored by PacificSource Health Plans
Make plans to attend the For the Health of It! Health and Wellness Fair, held in late September, 12 noon to 3:00 pm at the Bend Senior Center. Join Bend Park and Recreation for a FREE fun filled afternoon of health. Featuring over 50 health and wellness providers, free health screenings and give-a-ways. Flu vaccines available.
Vendor applications will be available in June. Use the contact information below to learn more about being a sponsor or event vendor.
For more information, contact:
Join us for Bend Senior Center’s Annual Holiday Craft & Gift Bazaar each November for over 11,000 square feet of shopping experience. Featuring handmade local vendors and gift sellers. Lunch available for sale. Holiday Music all day long. Grandma’s Cookin’ Calico Bean Soup for sale. Free admission. For event time and details, check the current Fall Playbook or events calendar after the publication of the Fall Playbook, around late the third week of August.
Vendor applications will be available after July 20, 2018. Use the contact information below to learn more about being a sponsor or event vendor.
For more information, contact:
Presented by Step & Spine Physical Therapy
Swim! Bike! Run! Do a triathlon! The swimming portion of this non-timed event will be held in the safety of a supervised pool. The mountain biking and running portions will be held in Juniper Park. The event focuses on sportsmanship and making new friends. All abilities are welcome. Build your skills and get ready for the race by signing up for one of the four weekly clinics.
Sunday, August 26, 2018 • 8:30 am – 12:30 pm • Ages 4 – 15
Registration opens March 19!
Program: 205607
Fee: $25 ID / $30 OD includes event t-shirt
Tentative Event Schedule:
Race Lengths:
Look for Let’s Picnic! July through August for another summer for fun-filled Wednesday evenings in your neighborhood! And, it’s all for FREE!
Pack a picnic and gather with friends and family for a delightful evening of live music, games and art activities in your local park! To top it all off, we’ll even bring the ice cream treats! Feel free to bring a blanket and/or chairs (please no glass or alcohol). See the current Summer Playbook or check the events calendar in mid April for event schedules.
Join us each December when we kick off two weeks of holiday skate sessions with The Winter Solstice Celebration at The Pavilion. The event features skating, treats and cocoa, raffles, a photo booth and performances by Bend Ice Figure Skating Club. Skaters receive a special $6 rate with a canned food donation to Neighbor Impact’s Food Bank. For event details, check the current Winter-Spring Playbook for details or check the events calendar around late August.
In 2017, patrons and Bend Park and Recreation District employees donated more than 440 pounds of food to NeighborImpact’s Food Bank.
Looking for an event being held in a Bend Park? Here is a calendar of organized, community events. If your looking for upcoming Bend Park and Recreation District public and free outreach events, check our events page.
For more information on each event, click on the event’s Details Link for further event details and event website link.
Happy Girls Half Marathon at Riverbend Park
May 26, 2018
Riverbend Park, United States
Visit http://www.happygirlsrun.com/ for more information.
Bark and Recreation SNIP at Drake Park
May 26, 2018
Drake Park, NW Riverside Blvd, Bend, OR 97701, USA
For more info visit http://www.bendsnip.org
Memorial Day at Brooks Park
May 28, 2018
Brooks Park, Bend, OR 97701, USA
Heaven Can Wait Walk/Run at Drake Park
June 3, 2018
Drake Park, NW Riverside Blvd, Bend, OR 97701, USA
For more information visit http://www.heavencanwait.org/.
Flag Day at Brooks Park
June 14, 2018
Brooks Park, Bend, OR 97701, USA
Beers Bands & Public Lands at Drake Park
June 16, 2018
Drake Park, NW Riverside Blvd, Bend, OR 97701, USA
For more information visit http://www.backcountryhunters.org/
Highland 5th Grade Graduation
June 16, 2018
Drake Park, NW Riverside Blvd, Bend, OR 97701, USA
Beer Run at Drake Park
June 17, 2018
Drake Park, NW Riverside Blvd, Bend, OR 97701, USA
This event goes through Columbia Park. For more information please visit http://layitoutevents.com/.
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