The North Bend Downtown Block Party is returning once again for its 10th annual celebration on Saturday, July 21. The Legends Car Show will follow up the event on Sunday, July 22.
Held on North Bend way from Bendigo Boulevard to Ballarat Avenue, the North Bend Block Party is an annual festival held every July.
The block party brings together residents of North Bend and people from around the Valley to celebrate the city through entertainment, live music, activities and local food. Some of the live performances featured include Créme Tangerine, Petty Differences, Spike and the Impalers, LocoMotive, Kellee Bradley, Lights Out, The Amber Lanterns, Ignite Dance and Yoga, Cascade Dance, and DMW Martial Arts.
Bre Keveren, special events and visitor information center coordinator, said that over the past 10 years the block party has grown to have a relatively consistent 2,000 to 3,000 attendees every year. This year, Keveren expects an increase in attendees due to a lot of the growth they have seen in past years and growth of the Valley population in general.
Various local vendors will be at the event as well, representing local businesses, artists, services and other organizations.
The block party will also have a Kid Zone will bounce houses, slides, and other play structures. Keveren said that local organizations, including Encompass, the Downtown Foundation and the city are working to keep the Kid Zone free from noon to 5 p.m..
The Iron Duck Public House will be hosting the beer and wine gardens and will serve products of local breweries and wineries like Convergence Zone Cellars, Sigillo Cellars and William Grassie Wine Estates.
Keveren said that the block party has come to embody many of the great characteristics of the city and its citizens. Over the past decade it has come to mean a lot for the engagement of the community.
“(The) Downtown Block Party fosters community pride and engagement, while providing an economic boost to our downtown businesses,” she said. “One way it does so is by supporting the North Bend Downtown Foundation, a nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting local revitalization, beautification and more. Downtown Block Party is truly a celebration of North Bend, and this special community of hardworking, collaborative people.”
Susan O’Malley hangs painted puzzle pieces to dry at the Mount Si Artist Guild booth Saturday during the Block Party. The pieces, painted by children as an arts activity, will be assembled into a community collage, O’Malley said. Carol Ladwig/Staff Photo
Volunteers with Night on a Dark Trail give a creepy welcome to people at the Block Party. Carol Ladwig/Staff Photo
Shayne Dickelman smiles as Encompass face painter Emily Creed transforms her into a tiger Saturday during the Block Party. Carol Ladwig/Staff Photo
The rock-climbing wall at the Block Party drew a steady stream of adventurers Saturday. Carol Ladwig/Staff Photo
