 This week was a week of split emotions at the DBBA. DBBA board & staff continue to get vaccinated, and in-person meeting seem like the are closer than they have been in over a year... and at the same time, Deschutes county cases continue to rise and we find ourselves one again facing COVID19 safety restrictions. So, we take a deep breath, we pivot and we march on. If you are reading this - make sure to shop local & eat local over these next 3 weeks to support our small businesses! At the temps gear up for summer, so do we! We are hiring! Every summer our staff swells from 3.5 people to 6 or 7 people as we hire the necessary staff to water flowers, hang banners, clean sidewalks.. and all of the other various duties that keep our downtown looking it's very best. If you are interested in applying, click here. Wow! This week was busy! We had a plethora of conversations with stakeholders and the public about turning Brooks Promenade into a pedestrian only area for a few hours every day. There is a tremendous amount of passion for this project, and we believe taking the time to figure out all of the nuts and boults to make it work for everyone is what will give this pilot program the best chance of success. We also spent a great deal of time talking to stakeholders and Bend community members about serving on the DBBA Board of Directors. We are looking for individuals who are passionate about Downtown Bend, and want to join our leadership team. There is a ton of growth and movement happening right now in our City, and Downtown Bend needs secure leadership to assure that the vision we have for our future is realized amidst all of these other pieces and projects. If you are interested in applying, click here. We are also excited to share our new reimagined plan for Bend Oktoberfest! Our largest fundraiser of the year is Bend Oktoberfest. For over a decade, One hundred percent of the fundraising proceeds from Bend Oktoberfest have gone into Downtown Bend beautification. This year, we’ve redesigned Bend Oktoberfest with the following intentions: #1 - To create a win/win for local businesses and Downtown Bend. Our intention is to create an event model that will help local businesses recover from COVID19, (with the dream of someday becoming one of their biggest revenue-generating days of the year). While at the same time, raising much-needed funds for the beautification and growth of Downtown Bend. In fact, we want to raise more funds than we ever have before & put more money into the dreams and visions for our Downtown. Bend Oktoberfest is a grassroots campaign to flood money into our local community. #2 - To create the most community-centered, goofy, and outrageously fun event in Bend. Our intention is to create an event that will show the colors of our community - featuring local talent, local beer, local foods… the best that our Bend community has to offer. Plus, we want to invite our Bend community to get silly with us, because we know that when we allow ourselves to be silly together – this is when our true colors shine, and laughter and acceptance flourishes. We invite you to join us in being ridiculous for this event… wear your costumes, sing songs about your love of beer, yodel to the mountains, and participate in our outrageous feats of strength. #3 - To grow Bend strong. Our intention is to create a model where we work together with you, and other community partners, to grow our community into the strongest, truest version of itself. Thrive and help thrive, it really is the way of the future! The Downtown Bend Business Association is a small nonprofit dedicated to increasing the vitality of Downtown Bend!
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