Good morning, Bend.

The new E. L. Wiegand Ponderosa Playscape will open at the High Desert Museum in Bend on April 19 with a free Playscape Party from 10 a.m. to noon—replacing the museum’s former Dig, Crawl, Climb area and offering hands-on activities for kids to learn about the ponderosa pine lifecycle.

A new roundabout is being built at the Yoeman Road and Deschutes Market Road intersection by Petrosa developers, and it will turn the intersection into a four-way roundabout that extends Yoeman Road.

City officials said the road will be closed for at least four months and drivers must follow a detour via Butler Market Road — Hamehook Road.

The road to the top of Pilot Butte is open today for drivers and will remain available daily from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. through summer—offering visitors sweeping views of Cascade peaks like Mount Bachelor, Three Sisters and Mount Jefferson.

Oregon lawmakers are debating a bill that would require big tech companies like Google and Meta to pay at least $122 million a year to support local online news outlets.

The measure, introduced by Sen. Khanh Pham, would allocate 90% of the funds to newsrooms based on the number of journalists they employ—aiming to boost struggling local journalism.

COCC Rugby returned at Pacific Crest Middle School for the Northwest Conference Rugby Championships, where the team won narrow games against Western Oregon 28-26 and Gonzaga 19-14 to finish its season.

Coach Max Bennett said the program gained momentum after starting with no players and expects many to return in the fall.

Bingo Night at River's Place

6-8 p.m. — River's Place — Cash for bingo cards — Play bingo, win cash prizes, and support wildlife conservation efforts.

Community Tour of KIDS Center

11 AM – 12 PM — KIDS Center — Free entry — Discover the journey of healing for children and the community's efforts to combat child abuse.

COCC Clothing Connection Fashion Show

4:30-8 p.m. — Central Oregon Community College — Free entry — Celebrate Earth Day with a fashion show featuring students and staff while supporting a clothing service for local students.

2025 Salmon Run

9 AM – 1 PM — Riverbend Park — Registration required — Experience the scenic beauty of Bend while participating in the 37th annual Salmon Run with half marathon, 10K, and 5K distances.

Easter Brunch at Juniper Preserve

8 a.m. – 3 p.m. — Juniper Preserve — À la carte pricing — Enjoy a delightful chef-curated Easter brunch with a visit from the Easter Bunny.

Beertown Comedy Open Mic

6:30-9 p.m. — Silver Moon Brewing — Free entry — Experience a fun-filled night with laughter from local comedians at Bend's top-rated open mic.

Macbeth Performance

6-8 p.m. — Downtown Bend Library — Free entry — Witness the chaos of ambition and madness in Shakespeare's thrilling tragedy.

Portland Cello Project Performance

7:30-9:00 p.m. — Tower Theatre — $34–$59 — Experience an unplugged cello show featuring songs inspired by light and hope with a touch of melancholy.

April 2025 Central Oregon PubTalk

4:30-7:00 p.m. — Worthy Brewing Company — Ticket includes drink and snacks — Network with local business leaders and discover innovative pitches.

The Wizard of Oz: Youth Edition

7 p.m. — Mountain View High School — Ticket prices vary — Experience a fantastic youth production of the classic tale with a talented student cast.