Bend Family Loop: Weekend of Mar. 6-8

Hi there,

Happy almost Friday! Looks like we have a nice weekend coming up… we’ll see you along with the rest of Bend out at the park enjoying some spring sun.

In this weekend’s Loop:

Let’s jump right in!

–Megan

WEEKEND SPOTLIGHT
Celebrate the Year of the Fire Horse with Lion Dancers!

Fire up the new year with lion dancers, firecrackers, and a performance that's been chasing away bad luck for thousands of years. The White Lotus Lion Dancers return to celebrate the Year of the Fire Horse with shows all around Bend this weekend.

The Lion Dance is an ancient tradition meant to chase away bad spirits and invite prosperity into the space. You'll see the Lion "eat" lettuce (symbolizing fresh starts and wealth) and spit it back out to shower everyone in abundance. Expect fireworks to bring big Fire Horse energy and scare away any lingering negativity. And this year, White Lotus will perform a bench routine that will show off their acrobatic skills.

As part of the tradition, audience members "feed" the Lion by placing cash in red envelopes as an offering of appreciation and a symbolic wish for good fortune in the year ahead. Red envelopes will be provided and there’s an ATM nearby.

Free Performance – No tickets required

The main performance will be outside of Tomi Mart. It will run about 20 minutes, so arrive early to snag a good spot. This is an outdoor event, and if last year is any indication, expect a great crowd and festive energy.

Saturday, March 7 • 2pm • Tomi Mart back lot (behind Okawa)

Additional Saturday performances: Jia (12pm), Sen Thai (3:15pm), Pika Pika (4pm), Chi (4:30pm)
Additional Sunday performances: Dear Mom Cafe (12pm), and Pho 88 (12:30pm)

Here’s what’s happening this week/end!

🎨 Art Play
10am–11am • Ages 2–4 • Register
📍Two Suns Art Studio (70 SW Century Dr)

Little artists can explore open-ended art and sensory stations, all inspired by this week’s “Fashion & Fabrics” theme.

🎶 Music Together Workshop
10:30am–11:15am • Ages 0–5 • Free • RSVP required
📍Sisters Library (110 N Cedar St, Sisters)

An interactive music and movement class built around a simple idea: when grown-ups engage playfully with music, little ones naturally follow their lead!

🐴 Sisters Farm School Play Day
11am-12:30pm • All ages • More info
📍Sisters Farm School

Get to know the farm animals, experience a short pony ride lesson, and have fun with outdoor play and arts & crafts on the farm!

🖼️ First Fridays Art Walk
5-8pm • Family-friendly • Free
📍Downtown Bend

Explore Bend’s art scene during this month’s art walk. Stop by Dudley’s Bookstore for Seahorse Chocolate tastings, and be sure to swing by the new Tea & Art Lounge (TEAL) for tea and pastries!

🍣 Sushi Rolling Made Easy
5pm–7pm • Ages 8–15 • Register
📍Larkspur Community Center (1600 SE Reed Market Rd)

Learn how to make a platter of norimaki sushi rolls with rice, noodles, vegetables and proteins while practicing sushi rolling skills.

🎥 Friday Night Lights, Camera, Stop Motion Animation!
5:30-8:30pm • Ages 7-14 • Register
📍Steller Jay Creative (369 NE Revere Ave.)

Have a budding filmmaker interested in stop-motion animation? Drop them off for a Friday night of learning the technique and making a short film with all the equipment and guidance they need from the folks at Steller Jay Creative!

🎨 Fused Glass Family Workshop
5:30-7pm • Ages 8+ • Register
📍Two Suns Art Studio (70 SW Century Dr)

Families join Heather of Bend Glassworks to design and create their very own fused glass night light or suncatcher in this colorful hands-on workshop.

🎶 Moonlight Music
6pm & 8pm • Family-friendly • Tickets
📍Meissner Sno-Park (Milepost 14, SW Century Dr.)

Ski or snowshoe candlelit trails under the stars, or simply relax by the fire pit or cozy lodge, while enjoying live piano music by Paula Dreyer. Two showtimes available, kids of all ages welcome.

🎷 Big Band Jazz
7pm • Family-friendly • Free • More info
📍COCC Wille Hall (2600 NW College Way)

Bring the family out for a free live jazz experience as the COCC Big Band Jazz ensemble performs the music of Tom Kubis.

🛠️ Kids Workshop: Leprechaun Traps
9am • All ages • Free • Register
📍Home Depot (63465 N Hwy 97)

Build a “leprechaun trap” while learning basic tool & building skills.

🧘 Kid’s Yoga
9:30am–10:45am • Ages 4+ • More info
📍Namaspa Yoga Community (1135 NW Galveston Ave.)

An interactive yoga class for kids that runs at the same time as the adult Power Flow class, so the whole family can get some time on the mat.

🎨 Paint Together - Bears
10am–12pm • Ages 6–12 • Register
📍Larkspur Community Center (1600 SE Reed Market Rd)

Learn about acrylic painting while creating a one of a kind, dual-canvas work of art with your kiddo.

🎬 Claymation Movie Making
10am–12:30pm • Ages 5–15 • Register
📍Steller Jay Creative Learning (369 NE Revere Ave. #107)

Make a stop animation movie with your child! Building creatures and characters together out of clay and then learn how to bring them to life using stop-motion techniques. Materials, technology, and instruction are all included, and you can take home digital copies to share with friends and family.

📚 Storytime: Buffalo Fluffalo
11am • All ages • Free • Learn more
📍Barnes & Noble (2690 NE Highway 20)

Grab a warm drink at the cafe and then cozy up in the Children’s Department for a morning storytime reading of “Buffalo Fluffalo”.

🎨 Fun With Clay: Garden Stakes
12:30pm–2:30pm • Ages 5–15 • Register
📍Harmon Park Clay Studio (1100 NW Harmon Blvd)

Learn hand-building and glazing techniques as you create create decorative garden stakes with your child.

🧧 Lion Dancers
2pm • Family-friendly • Free
📍Tomi Mart (1180 SE 3rd Street)

Kids will love watching the White Lotus dancers perform a traditional lion dance to celebrate the Lunar New Year, bringing blessings of good fortune and abundance as we welcome the Year of the Fire Horse.

🤸 Parent-Child Open House
3pm–5pm • Ages 0–3 • Free • RSVP
📍The Little Gym (61334 S Hwy 97)

An open house for kids under 3 to explore the gym, meet the team, and learn about classes and parent-child programs in a fun, welcoming environment!

🧘 Mini & Me Yoga
10am–11am • Ages 0–3 • Register
📍Hanai (62430 Eagle Rd)

All-levels yoga class where little ones are part of the fun, whether they're flowing alongside you or playing nearby while you stretch and connect with other parents.

👩‍🍼 New Moms Meetup
11am–12:30pm • Free • RSVP
📍Tula Movemart Arts (2797 NW Clearwater Dr)

A relaxed gathering for new moms to connect, share, and build community, with babies and little ones welcome.

⛸️ $8 Family Skate
12:30pm–2:30pm • All ages
📍The Pavilion (1001 Southwest Bradbury Way)

Lace up your skates and enjoy a discounted family-friendly ice skating session. It’s only $8 per person and includes rentals (kids under 3 are free!)

❄️ Snowshoe with a Ranger
1pm • Ages 8+ • Register
📍Mt Bachelor Ranger Station (13000 SW Century Drive)

Join a Forest Service ranger for a family-friendly guided snowshoe hike along Egan Cone, exploring the geology, biology, and hydrology of Deschutes National Forest. Snowshoes provided, no experience needed!

🎶 Cascade Winds Winter Concert
2pm • Family-friendly • Free
📍Summit High School (2855 NW Clearwater Dr)

The Cascade Winds perform a free concert featuring traditional marches and an epic four-movement symphony inspired by Dante's journey through the Divine Comedy.

🎭 Little Women: The Musical
2pm–4pm • Family-friendly • Tickets
📍Mountain View High School Auditorium (2755 NE 27th St)

Mountain View HS students bring Louisa May Alcott's beloved story of the March sisters to life in this heartwarming musical, following four sisters through love, loss, and the pursuit of their dreams.

Opportunities for you get a little time without the kids (hello, date night!)

🍿 Movie Night (Brave)
Friday • 4:30-7pm • Ages 5+ • Register
📍Mrs. Marcelle’s School of Dance (425 NE Windy Knolls Drive #3)

A fun evening of games, crafts, and a movie. 🍕 Pizza included.

🚀 Friday Night Out: STEM & Space Exploration With Rocket Minds
Friday • 5pm–8pm • Ages 5–12 • Register
📍Larkspur Community Center (1600 SE Reed Market Rd)

Drop the kids off for STEM projects and games while you enjoy a night off!

😎 Kid's Night Out (Camp Fire)
Friday • 5:30-8:30pm • Ages 4-11 • Register
📍Amity Creek School (437 NW Wall St.)

Certified Camp Fire babysitters and staff will lead kids in games, crafts, and more! The location is perfect if you’re looking to hit Art Walk kid-free. 🍕 Dinner included.

🤸 Kids Night Out: Zorb Balls!
Friday • 6-9pm • Ages 4-12 • More info
📍Mountain Air (20495 Murray Rd #150)

Drop the kids off for a night of human-sized roller balls, jumping, games, and staff-led activities while you get to take a break! 🍕 Pizza included.

🤸 Ninja Night Out
Saturday • 5:30-8:30pm • Ages 6-13 • Register
📍Free Spirit (320 SW Powerhouse Dr #150)

Free Spirit coaches lead an evening of obstacle course races, team-building games, and ninja challenges.

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