Last February I headed out on a winter weekend getaway over the Cascade Mountains to the heart of Central Oregon for Bend’s biggest winter party, Oregon WinterFest, held this year February 14-16, 2020.
Held in Bend’s bustling Old Mill District, Oregon WinterFest is a three-day celebration of all things winter and a “massive party of fire and ice.”
What do I mean by fire and ice? Two of the main highlights of the festival are the fire pit and ice carving competitions. As you walk along the Deschutes River to get into the festival, attendees are greeted by the warmth and glow of dozens of handmade, one-of-a-kind fire sculptures crafted by local residents of Central Oregon — everyone from known sculptors, artists and blacksmiths to retired boilermakers. I was both amazed and awed of the intricate details of these beautiful pieces of art ranging from 12’ high to 18’ in diameter. I, along with many others, found myself sitting in front of these fire pits multiple times during the festival enjoying the functionality of these amazing pieces of art.
On the other end of the temperature spectrum, the ice carving competition begins each morning of the festival with regional artists and ice carvers sawing, hammering and drilling to fabricate their icy creations. The live carving exhibit creates an interactive atmosphere and is a huge hit for kids and adults alike. It’s quite cool (pun intended) to see what these talented carvers can do with the huge block of ice given to them.
One of my favorite parts of the festival was the J.D. Platt’s K9 Kings show. Whether you’re a dog lover or not, you can’t help but have a smile on your face while watching dogs of all sizes jump, flip, and dance their way to catch a Frisbee.
No Oregon festival is complete without an appetizing selection of food and drink options. Oregon WinterFest offers up just that with numerous food cart choices and a stellar lineup of locally-crafted beer, wine, cider and spirits to choose from. After grabbing some grub, I highly recommend catching one of the musical acts on the main stage. Check out the complete music schedule here.
If shopping for artisan goods and interactive demonstrations are you thing, there’s plenty of that to be found at the Marketplace, which features dozens of local vendors and an experiential fine arts area featuring hands-on metal and hot glass presentations. I was mesmerized watching some of these demonstrations last year.
If you’re thinking about bringing the kiddos, this is a great event for them. There’s a dedicated children’s area that features bounce houses, face painting, cake pops, balloon art and a petting zoo.
I can assure you that there’s something to be had for everyone at Oregon WinterFest whether you attend with friends, your family or even on a date. Admission is only $10 and well worth it for a fun day of wintry activities. This year’s Oregon WinterFest offers a variety of one-time special events, including:
Friday, February 14
- Wine Walk
- Fire Pit & Sculpture Competition
- Live Ice Carving
- Central Oregon Light Art
- Bend Family Play Zone
- Live music featuring Blackstrap Bluegrass, Precious Byrd, Lindsay Ell
Saturday, February 15
- Royal Run 2020
- J.D. Platt’s K9 Kings
- 10Barrel Vertical Challenge
- Fire Pit & Sculpture Competition
- Live Ice Carving
- Central Oregon Light Art
- Bend Family Play Zone
- Live music featuring Brandon Prinzing & the Old Revival, Jemere Morgan, Naughty by Nature
Sunday, February 16
- Kids Hot Cocoa Run
- J.D. Platt’s K9 Kings
- Fire Pit & Sculpture Competition
- 10Barrel Vertical Challenge
- Live Ice Carving
- Central Oregon Light Art
- Bend Family Play Zone
Where to stay: Eagle Crest Resort is the official lodging sponsor for the festival and are offering lodging deals and golf green discounts for the weekend.
