BEND, OR -- Bend will see a full slate of events this summer. "It’s like a big weight being lifted off," says Aaron Switzer, with Lay it Out Events. Bend Summer Festival and nearly all of the region’s traditional summer events will return this year, following 2020’s cancellations and 2021’s scaled down versions due to the pandemic. "I think most people are feeling pretty comfortable that, at least for the summer, we’re going to have a really great time. And it’s great to be back in that place."

Switzer tells KBND News the last two years were incredibly hard to book musical acts, find staff, even schedule venues, "You just didn’t know what was going to happen. You didn’t know if you were going to have the festival, so as promoters we have to hedge our bets a little bit. That also isn’t true for this year. This year, it’s much more robust and people should expect to see a lot of what they saw prior to COVID."

Lay it Out announced Balloons Over Bend, Theater in the Park and the rest of its summer line-up will return this year, although Switzer says Summer Festival will be just two days instead of the traditional three - the result of cautious scheduling prior to the lifting of pandemic restrictions. And, he says, there will still be a few COVID holdovers, "You’re going to see the handwashing stations. You’re going to see signs recommending people stay within their comfort zones with masks."

Lay it Out’s season begins with the BBQ, Brews and Whiskey Festival, June third. Switzer says, "I think Bend is the flashing sign for being fully open. I mean, with the amphitheater shows, with the Oregon Spirit Distillers concerts, the Athletic Club, our events."

Photo courtesy Lay it Out Events