Bend Residents Celebrate St. Patrick’s Day

Almost 500 runners began St. Patrick’s Day with a fun family 5K run. The runners had a bit of luck, weather-wise, as it was a little chilly but otherwise, the sun was shining.

The Mt. Bachelor Rotary Saint Patrick’s Day Dash is sponsored by Deschutes Brewery. It began at the Deschutes Brewery and Public House on Bond Street and finished at the Bend National Guard Armory.

Maybe the best part of the race, according to organizers, is seeing everyone dressed in their best green wear.

“This is certainly the best way to start the day — you come here, you do a little running, you have a little corn beef, there’s some possibly some beer involved and it just goes on into the evening as a gentle flow,” said Mike Rupp, an event organizer.

This year, there were over 500 pre-registered runners, up from last year’s 325.

The fun event has a serious side, as it benefits Grandma’s House of Bend, an organization that takes care of young women in need.

It wouldn’t be St. Patrick’s Day without the sound of bagpipes, though.

At the finish line, racers were treated to the sounds of the Bend Fire Pipes and Drum band.

The band is made up of all firefighters from the Bend Fire Department, and consists of seven bagpipers, three snare drummers and one bass drummer.

They rely solely on the individual members, performances and by private donations. Formed in 2008, they made their first public performance on St. Patrick’s Day 2010 and were on hand again this year.

“Even though the highland bagpipes are traditionally a Scottish instrument, we are still celebrating the whole Celtic tradition,” said Mike Baxter, who has been playing the bagpipes for three years. “Someday we might try to add some Irish pipes to the band. I’ve been thinking of kind of messing with those for a little bit, but I’ve got to convince my wife to spend the money first — and it’s probably not going to happen.”

The pipes are expensive, with some costing over $2,000.

The band was seen all over the downtown area Saturday. It’s also available for hire to perform at weddings, funerals, parades, dinners, parties, or whatever.

You can contact them at: BendFirePipesAndDrums@gmail.com