City of Bend to celebrate Welcoming Week
Beginning on Friday, the City of Bend joins numerous community partners in celebrating “Welcoming Week,” a series of community-organized events that highlight the principles of inclusion and creating communities that prosper because everyone feels welcome.
Welcoming Week takes place Sept. 15 to 24. Festivities begin with a Launch Celebration at 6 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 15, on the steps of the Bend-La Pine Schools administration building. Elected officials will address attendees with thoughts about the importance of Welcoming Week. The event is open to the public and members of the Bend community are encouraged to attend to show support.
Public events, including a citywide kickball tournament, Bend Open Streets, the “Borderless Stories” photography exhibit, workshops, presentations, a vigil and the Festival of Cultures will provide residents ample opportunity to participate in Welcoming Week. View the Welcoming Week online calendar for a full list of event information.
In addition to attending Welcoming Week events, Bend area residents are encouraged to participate in a social media photo contest from Sept. 15 to 24. To enter the contest participants must upload a photo with an “I’m a Welcomer” sign to Facebook or Twitter. The “I’m a Welcomer” sign can be downloaded from www.welcomingamerica.org/content/welcomer-signs. On Facebook, tag the photo with the City of Bend, Oregon Government page. On Twitter, tag @CityofBend and include #IWelcome and #WelcomingWeek. One photo will be randomly selected each day to win a Welcoming Week cap.
For more information about Bend Welcoming Week, including full event information, visit www.bendoregon.gov/welcomingweek.
About Welcoming Week
Welcoming Week is a series of events in the community that raise awareness about Bend’s status as a Welcoming City and the benefits of welcoming everyone. On June 21, 2017, the Bend City Council unanimously supported a resolution for the City of Bend to be recognized as a Welcoming City. Participation in Welcoming Week is one of the requirements for recognition as a Welcoming City.
