Bend residents who love their city have a hands-on opportunity to show it: the Annual Community Cleanup is back, inviting volunteers to roll up their sleeves and help keep Bend looking its best. The event, highlighted this week by The Source, is a chance for neighbors across the city to come together and take pride in the place they call home.

Community cleanups like this one have long been a hallmark of Bend’s civic spirit. By picking up litter, clearing debris, and tidying public spaces, volunteers make a direct, visible difference in neighborhoods throughout the city — the kind of grassroots effort that no city budget can fully replace. Events like these also tend to bring neighbors together in ways that go beyond the work itself, sparking conversations, building friendships, and reinforcing the sense that Bend belongs to everyone who lives here.

Also generating buzz this week is the announcement that vendor applications are now open for an inaugural Bend Holiday Market, reported by The Source. The brand-new market promises to be a festive addition to Bend’s community calendar, giving local artisans, makers, and small-business owners a fresh platform to showcase their goods during the holiday season. The fact that it’s a first-ever event makes it especially exciting — Bend is adding another homegrown tradition to its already vibrant lineup of community gatherings.

Together, these two items paint a picture of a city that loves to come together — whether that means grabbing a trash bag and heading out to a neighborhood street or setting up a booth to share handcrafted goods with fellow Benders. Both efforts reflect the volunteer energy and entrepreneurial creativity that make Bend such a welcoming place to live.

If you’re interested in participating in the Annual Community Cleanup, keep an eye on The Source – Bend, Oregon for details on dates, locations, and how to sign up. And if you’re a local vendor hoping to be part of the inaugural Bend Holiday Market, applications are open now — don’t miss your chance to be part of something new.

Sources: The Source – Bend, Oregon, The Source – Bend, Oregon