Artists and attendees enjoy revamped Bend Summer Fest schedule
Spencer Sacks
The 2026 Bend Summer Fest, an annual celebration of summer bringing together artists from various disciplines, is currently underway in downtown Bend.
The festival’s schedule was shifted from its usual mid-July timeframe to an earlier date, coinciding with summer’s meteorological start on June 1st. Several artists and locals expressed enjoyment over this change.
Kurt, owner of Mandrake Roots, crafts art pieces from driftwood. This marks his third time participating in Summerfest and his second time working alongside his mother. “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 I love the customers. I love the people, love coming to bend,” Kurt said.
Oil painter and artist Dave Fox also attended the festival. Fox noted 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 said.
Fox also commented on the benefits of the festival’s new timing. “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,” Fox said.
The event showcased a diverse array of artists, including sculptors, painters and jewelers. The festival also offered live music and numerous food trucks for attendees to enjoy.