We might have reached peak autumn this weekend, with fall festivals taking place in Bend and Sunriver. A bestselling author also comes to town, and there’s great live music and independent films to see, too.
Author! Author! Series: Maria Semple
October 5 | Bend Senior High School, Bend | $30
Bestselling author Maria Semple will be the first in the lineup of the 2018-2019 Author! Author! literary series in Bend. Known for her novels Today Will Be Different, Where’d You Go Bernadette and This One Is Mine, Semple will talk about her novels and writing at the Bend High Auditorium. Tickets are still available for the event, as well as for her writing workshop ($50) that she is presenting at the Deschutes Public Library before her talk.
Wild & Scenic Film Festival
October 5 | Tower Theatre, Bend | $8-$14
The Wild & Scenic Film Festival is the confluence of independent film and environmental advocacy to support the Oregon Natural Desert Association. There will be a series of short films featuring natural wonders, amazing feats of athleticism people who are devoted to protecting the environment. The series of films will be screened in two showings at the Tower Theatre in downtown Bend.
Bend Fall Festival
October 5-7 | Downtown Bend | Free
Bend Fall Festival takes over downtown Bend for the weekend to celebrate all things autumn. There’s a harvest market, gourmet food and wine, a fine art promenade, an artisan goods market, activities for kids and families and live music each night.
Sunriver Fall Festival
October 6-7 and 13-14 | Sunriver | Free
Head to Sunriver this weekend (or next) for the inaugural Fall Festival. The family-friendly event will have classic harvest fun, like a pumpkin patch, hay maze and hay rides, mini golf, bouncy houses and more. There will also be a harvest market as well as local food and drink vendors.
Live Music
On Wednesday, Celtic punk band The Real McKenzies will be playing at The Capitol ($15 in advance, $20 at the door). And on Saturday, Michael Glabicki, the singer/songwriter of Rusted Root, will be taking the stage at the Tower ($27-$42).
