The Bend Summer Fest, a cherished annual event, is currently enlivening downtown Bend with its vibrant celebration of art and community. This year, the festival has shifted its schedule from mid-July to the beginning of June, aligning with the meteorological start of summer. This change has been well-received by both artists and attendees.

Local Artists Shine

Kurt, a local artist and owner of Mandrake Roots, is participating for the third time. He crafts unique art pieces from driftwood and enjoys working alongside his mother. Kurt expressed his enthusiasm for the festival, stating, “I love coming to Summerfest. This is my third time doing it. This is my second time with my wonderful mother over here. So we’re a partnership. Yeah, it’s been absolutely real. I love the customers. I love the people, love coming to Bend.”

Oil painter Dave Fox also shared his excitement about the festival and the importance of summer for artists. “I’m excited for summer. It’s a very busy time for artists. Art shows are in the summer typically. Sometimes they’re later in the year. But you got to go much farther south. But in the northwest, it’s all about the summer,” Fox explained.

Benefits of the New Timing

The decision to move the festival to an earlier date has brought several benefits. Fox noted, “It’s not as hot as it usually is because they’ve shifted it from mid-July to here. The crowd’s been good and everybody’s enjoying the art. It’s been good so far.”

The festival features a diverse array of artists, including sculptors, painters, and jewelers. Attendees can also enjoy live music and a variety of food trucks, making it a well-rounded experience for the whole family.

Original reporting: KTVZ (Central Oregon) — read the source article.