After careful consideration, the Downtown Bend Business Association staff and board have decided to cancel Bend Oktoberfest, scheduled for September 2021.
This decision was an extremely difficult one to make. Bend Oktoberfest is the largest fundraiser for Downtown Bend, and not being able to hold this event will result in a reduction in beautification programs for the downtown district in the 2021/2022 fiscal year. However, the Downtown Bend Business Association (DBBA) states that the most important thing to consider is the health and safety of Bend businesses, community, hospital staff and children who will soon be returning to their classrooms.
Currently, we are seeing a 225 percent increase in COVID19 cases, gathering evidence that large outdoor events are contributing to the spread of the virus, and CDC forecasts of continued case increases in the coming weeks. With these facts, canceling an event that has, historically, brought over 15,000 people to Downtown is the most prudent course of action.
“Our number one concern is for our community,” said Mindy Aisling, executive director for the DBBA. “We must do everything that we can do to assure that our Bend businesses stay open without restrictions, and that our hospital retains the capacity to continue to treat our neighbors and friends who might fall ill.” The DBBA is a nonprofit organization responsible for the vitality of Downtown Bend. As a small nonprofit, their scope of work includes, but is not limited to: daily sweeping of all sidewalks, graffiti removal, safety checks, flower baskets, holiday decorating, snow removal, banners, the downtown dollars gift card program, community programming, marketing & branding, downtown advocacy and more. They are essential to the health and well being of our historic downtown. If you’re passionate about the vitality of Downtown Bend and would like to donate to their nonprofit, please visit their website, downtownbend.org.
