WinterFest… without the winter

Oregon WinterFestThe Bend Oregon WinterFest is taking place this weekend, only there’s a snag: there’s no snow, and really not much winter to speak of! WinterFest is still going on, of course—taking place from Friday through Sunday, the 13th-15th—but the unseasonably warm weather has necessitated a shift in plans:

Due to the lack of snow available, the event’s ski and snowboard competition, The Playground Games, has been cancelled. In year’s past, it has taken 55 truckloads of snow from Mt. Bachelor to build the competition base, about 495 yards of snow. With area snow pack at a fraction of normal and a moderate amount of new snow in the forecast for the mountains, event producers say it is not possible to responsibly carry out the competition.

Replacing the ski and snowboard competition, Lay It Out Events has added two evening performances of Metal Mulisha. Lay It Out Events has also added to the music lineup for the weekend, bringing on Woebegone to open for March Fourth Marching Band on Friday night and The Autonomics to open for Filter on Saturday night.

Beyond this setback, there’s still a full schedule with ice carving, the Wine Walk, plenty of live music, the Polar Plunge, kids section, and more. It all takes place in the Old Mill District and you’ll need tickets or buttons to attend, which you can purchase for $6 at OnPoint Credit Union, or $8 at Newport Market and the Old Mill’s Ticket Mill.

Fortunately there’s still plenty to do even without the snow!

Leave a Reply