Pole Pedal Paddle

Quintessentially Bend, the Pole Pedal Paddle (541/388-0002, www.pole-pedal-paddle.com) is either a relay or, for the exceptionally tough, a single-person event that starts at the top of Mount Bachelor and ends at the Les Schwab Amphitheater in Bend’s Old Mill District. Between the two points, participants downhill ski, cross-country ski, bike, run, and canoe or kayak to the finish line. Although some participants take the event quite seriously, most enter in a spirit of fun.

Bend Summer Festival

The Bend Summer Festival brings out food booths, Oregon wine and microbrews, art exhibits, and live music all in one big block party the second weekend in July. Contact the Bend Visitors Information Bureau (541/382-8048, www.bendsummerfestival.com) for more details.

Tower Theatre

Downtown Bend’s classic Tower Theatre (835 NW Wall St., 541/317-0700, www.towertheatre.org) was renovated in 2002 and now hosts music, films, and other performances. This is a good venue to see some relatively big-name acoustic musicians.

Les Schwab Amphitheater

Bend’s other main music venue, the Les Schwab Amphitheater (541/322-9383, www.theoldmill.com/live-events), is located on the edge of the Old Mill District, on Shevlin-Hixon Drive between Simpson Avenue and Columbia Street. This is the place to see performers such as Pink Martini, Bonnie Raitt, or Jack Johnson. It’s also the site of quite a few free concerts, some of which are dog-friendly.