This weekend is a busy one! Not only is it First Friday tomorrow night, it’s the Fall Art Hop as well—which (along with the Spring version) is the bigger version of the usual monthly Art Walk, with many businesses in Downtown Bend and the Old Mill District staying open late (from 5 to 9pm) and offering special art exhibits—with everything from conventional art pieces to sculpture to specialty jewelry and much more.

Of course (let’s face it) the draw is also the free live music, and food, and wine (or beer) that many businesses also offer along with the art exhibits—and of course the prospect of running into people you know who are also out for the merriment! It will be a good night.

And then of course the annual Bend Fall Festival is taking place this Saturday and Sunday in downtown Bend, offering up the multitude of activities that our seasonal festivals are known for: tons of live music across two stages, a multitude of arts and crafts vendors, the Family Harvest Area (great for kids), food, beer, wine, and much more.

This year also offers the first-ever homebrewed beer competition featuring (only) fresh hop and harvest beers, presented (and judged) by Deschutes Brewery: with a grand prize featuring a brew day with a Deschutes brewer!

Also this year (for the second year in a row) is the Children’s Costume Swap: a great program where you can “trade in an old [Halloween] costume and get a voucher toward a gently-used costume” that my friend (and sometime Hack Bend contributor) Shannon has spearheaded. (I’ll have a more detailed post on that tomorrow most likely.) They are also needing volunteers to help out this weekend, which will get you a free costume. Great idea, great cause, be sure to check them out.

So it’s going to be a busy and great fall-themed weekend! And best of all, it’s all free! (Within reason of course.) I know it’s going to be cooler weather, but still—make sure to get out and make the most of it!