Celebrating the return of the sun, the renewal of the earth and the launching of a busy Central Oregon outdoor season, the free NorthWest Crossing Bend Spring Festival begins this weekend.
Thousands will come out to explore the original art, chalk on the streets, a robust offering of children’s activities, live music, great food and wine and beer.
The NorthWest Crossing Bend Spring Festival will take place Friday, April 12 through Sunday April 14. Friday evening kicks off with the TeSo`Aria Art and Wine Bop, featuring fine art, wine sampling, and offerings of live music strategically placed inside the confines of many NorthWest Crossing merchants. This year we will add a free concert hosted by Hydro Flask and featuring The Pitchfork Revolution, Necktie Killer and Larry and His Flask on Northwest Crossing Drive while people cruise through shops taking in a sneak peak of the festival art. The School of Enrichment is sponsoring the “Drop and Bop” club with free childcare and activities for children ages 3-10 accepted on a first-come first-serve basis. This will be located next to Sara Bella on Northwest Crossing Drive.
The festival at large kicks off on Saturday from 11am to 10pm, and again on Sunday from 11am to 5pm. Over 50 upcyled artisans, fine artists, global importers and crafters will be present in addition to a street dedicated to resourceful living. The Conscious Living Showcase will feature over 40 regional businesses who support a high quality of life here in Central Oregon. Contributing to the festival fun will be giant puppets, a magician and more roaming throughout the neighborhood!
A more detailed glance at the festival:
Friday, April 12th – TeSo`Aria Art and Wine Bop This event will feature festival artists, live music, and wine tasting from the beautiful collection of TeSo`Aria wines inside participating NorthWest Crossing restaurants and retailers—from 6-9pm. There will be music in some participating businesses (below) from 6:30 – 8:30pm. This year we are adding a free concert outside on the Peak 104.1 Mainstage with The Pitchfork Revolution at 5pm, Necktie Killer at 7pm and then Hydro Flask hosts Larry and His Flask bringing the Bop to a crescendo starting at 9pm on Northwest Crossing Drive at Mt. Washington Drive. Ashton Eaton will be with the Hydro Flask team to introduce Larry and His Flask to the stage. Hydro Flask will be giving away a small number of Larry and His Flask Hydro Flasks at the event. There will be a free “Drop and Bop club” hosted by the licensed care providers, The School of Enrichment. We’re making it that easy– so that parents may have childcare while enjoying the art, live music, wine and cocktails.
Locations/Entertainment for the Art and Wine Bop:
The Garner Group:
Katherine Turner – Fine Art Painter
Tate and Tate Catering:
Ryan Beard – Sculptor BEST OF JURY WINNER
Umpqua Bank:
Tamara Adams – Fine Art Painter OFFICIAL FESTIVAL ARTWORK ARTIST
Jem Chocolates:
Patricia Callicott – Mosaics and Fiber Artist
Music by Andrew Cooper
Portello:
Tiina McDermott – Jewelry and Accessories Artist
Sara Bella Upcycled:
Nicole Flood – Fiber Artist
Music by Hilst and Coffey
Sage Café:
Stacia Davis – Jewelry Artist
All Mixed Up Yogurt Shop
Robin Sturm – Fiber Artist
Desert Bloom Preschool
Sally Metzger – Fiber Artist
Music by Christina Griggs
Saturday, April 14 and Sunday, April 15 – Bend Spring Festival
Introducing Let it Ride Cycle/Recycle!
Inspired by Bend’s fantastic cycling culture and forward-thinking trendsetters who make art, clothing and function from repurposed materials, we bring you Let it Ride Cycle/Recycle. This theme of art, gear and activities will be seen throughout the festival weekend. Let it Ride will be on the main street showing people the new wave in commuting, the electric bike. People can take a test ride around the neighborhood that was built for such commuting, on these fun performance bicycles. They will be giving away opportunities to take them home for a couple of days and try commuting with them, in addition to other goodies, throughout the weekend.
Artists such as Best of Jury winner Ryan Beart brings recycling art alive with his extraordinary metal sculptures, made from recycled metals. Popular upcycled artists Nicole Flood and Cynthia Lucas return with the latest trends in upcycled fashion. The Bend Endurance Academy’s Bike Rodeo is a chance for kids to test their bike skills on a fun and challenging obstacle course. A host of artists using repurposed materials to craft jewelry, accessories, clothing and more throughout the festival space, many with a cycling theme. OSU Master Gardeners will be on the street to answer questions related to resourceful gardening practices as well.
On the operational side of things, C3 Events is excited to continue our “Towards Zero Waste” campaign, as we work with local partners to make a huge impact on our community in terms of preservation. Come visit our “Towards Zero Waste” stations throughout the event grounds to dispose of your recycling and compost, and chat with our wonderful volunteers in green about the campaign. We’re also bringing in more bike racks to service those who decide to travel to the festival on two wheels. Look for our expanded bike storage in front of La Rosa.
Souk de Spring Festival Block
The term “souk” originates from the Middle East and is defined as an open-air market, and that’s just what you’ll find. With vendors and produce stands from India, Africa, Afghanistan and other locations around the world, this area proves to be quite an international experience.
Music Performances
The Peak 104.1 Mainstage is located at the intersection of Northwest Crossing Drive and Mt. Washington Drive. There will be an awesome line up of local and national talent including:
Peak 104.1 Mainstage
Friday, April 12
5pm Pitchfork Revolution
6:30pm Necktie Killer
8:30pm Larry and His Flask
Saturday, April 13
11am Sagebrush Rock
1pm Christina Griggs/Jena Rickards and friends…
3pm World’s Finest
5pm State of Jefferson
7pm Black Prairie
9pm Mosley Wotta
Sunday, April 14
11am Keegan Smith
1pm Redwood Son
3pm Tony Smiley
Fine Artists Promenade
More than 50 fine artists from across the state will join the Fine Artists Promenade on NorthWest Crossing Drive. Fine art, sculpture, jewelry, fiber arts, soaps, rugs, photography and Cycle/Recycle related art including bike frame builders.
Spring into Fun Children’s Area
Look for the following entertainment and activities on the Spring into Fun Children’s Street:
- Spring Arts and Crafts Workshops from Debra Fisher, Helen Bommarito and more (walk up, space limited)
- Jump ‘n’ Funs
- Face Painting
- Petting Zoo and Pony Rides from DD Ranch
- Heather Pearl, aka “The Spring Fairy”– magic, balloon animals, vaudeville, etc
- Live music, magic and dance performances and workshops (see stage schedule below)
- Afternoon High Tea with the Spring Fairy (Kids Pre-Sign Up and Come in Fairy or Prince/Princess Costumes– The Spring Fairy will read from Fancy Nancy and the Mermaid Ballet/Finger Foods by Tate and Tate—Two sittings on Saturday at 12pm and 3pm—Reserve a seat with natalie@c3events.com.
- @ 11am 45 minutes on the kid’s stage hosted by Heather Furtney of Bikram Yoga of Bend. First 15 to sign up get to participate.
- Giant Puppets
- Bend Endurance Academy Bicycle Obstacle Course
- Cascade School of Music School of Rock Performances
- Rock Climbing Wall
Kid’s Stage Schedule
Saturday April 13
11am: Urban Point Dance-Sarah
11:30pm: Jay Frasier the Magician
12:30 pm: Cascade School of Music Guitar Quartet
1:30pm: Awesome Afterschool Orchestra
2pm: Cascade School of Music School of Rock I: Gwinup
3:30pm: Cascade School of Music School of Rock II: Jacobs
Sunday
11-12pm: Spring Morning Yoga with Heather Furtney of Bikram Yoga Bend
12pm: Jay Frasier the Magician
12:45 pm: BEAT performing The Pirates of Penzance
1:30pm: Kelcey Canfield (singer/songwriter)
2:30pm: Leo Dolan (singer/songwriter)
3:30pm: Sunriver Dance Academy Hip Hop and Tap
Street Chalk Art Competition and Exhibition
Looking to build momentum from last year’s wildly successful street chalk art competition, which included more than 100 participants, this year’s competition will include four luminary exhibition artists, two from Bend and two from around the state of Oregon. Our judges this year are esteemed artists Marissa Lopez (Last year artist and judge from Portland), Karen Elund (Grand Prize winner last year/ will be an exhibition artist and judge this year) and Maisy Washatka (Youth winner last year/ will be an exhibition artist and judge this year) Here are this year’s competition guidelines:
- Free Spaces and Chalk
- 6 Cash Prizes Awarded for Kids and Adults Competitions, Including $250 Best of Show
– $250 first place winner adults
– (2) $100 honorable mentions
– $50 first place winner students
– (2) $25 honorable mention awards
- Participation Categories: (Adult,18-Older); (Student, 8-17); (School Spirit Competition- Middle and High School Teams of 4); (The Chalk Box, Children 7 and Under)
- To Sign Up, Either Walk-Up, or Pre-Reserve Your Space: natalie@c3events.com; Pre-Registration is Recommended.
- Competition will go all day from 11am-5pm on Saturday
- Exhibition artists will chalk their creations on Saturday only
- Chalk art will be available for viewing on both days
Food vendors this year are
Philyaws BBQ
Philly Style
Bonta Gelato
Parilla Satellite
Dump City Dumplings
Demetri’s
All Mixed Up
Veronica’s Tamales
Suzy Q’s Donuts
Famous Kettle Korn
Pop Goes The Cake Ball
Deschutes Brews on tap at the bars by the Mainstage, Regional Vintner wine selections and Bend Distillery Cocktails featuring official recipes created for the festival
Street Closures
Thursday April 11, 10pm. NW Crossing Dr from Mt. Washington to Ft Clatsop
Friday April 12, 2pm. Fort Clatsop from Ordway to South side businesses parking lot
Friday April 12, 10pm. NW Crossing Dr from Fort Clatsop to Compass Park
Parking
High Lakes Elementary School, Merchant parking lots (Enter off Mt. Washington at High Lakes Loop or Ordway Avenue)
The festival will be produced C3 Events, founder of Bend Summer Festival, Bend Fall Festival, Munch & Music, Munch & Movies and Peak Summer Nights at the Athletic Club of Bend. www.c3events.com