What the Farewell Festival Leaving Redmond Means for Our Community

Farewell to the Farewell Festival - Sold in Central Oregon

When we moved back to Oregon in 2024 (for the second time as a family, and about the fourth time for me personally), one of the first things people asked us was how we were handling the traffic. We had just come from the DFW metroplex, where traffic is a daily, unavoidable part of life, so honestly... we hadn't noticed much difference.

That's when I first started hearing about the Farewell Festival and its impact on Redmond, Oregon.

For one weekend each year, Redmond didn't feel like a quiet Central Oregon town. Our population essentially doubled, and the energy shifted in a big way. And then-almost overnight-it went back to feeling like a bit of a ghost town again, which after years in one of the largest metro areas in the country felt strangely comforting.

Recently, local news outlets confirmed that the Farewell Festival will not be returning to the Deschutes County Fairgrounds this year. While I'm not a country music fan myself and never attended the festival, the news still made me pause. Not because of the music-but because of what the festival represented for Redmond.

A Weekend That Put Redmond on the Map

Whether you loved the festival or dreaded the traffic, there's no denying the scale of it.

For one weekend, Redmond became a destination. Hotels filled up. Restaurants and bars saw a noticeable increase in business. Local shops benefited from visitors exploring Central Oregon beyond the festival gates. Several business owners have openly shared that it was one of their strongest weekends of the year.

From an economic standpoint, it was a big deal.

And while many locals didn't love the congestion (especially those commuting to Bend for work), others appreciated the rare chance to see major artists perform while still sleeping in their own beds at night.

That push and pull-excitement versus inconvenience-pretty accurately sums up how people around town seem to feel about the news.

A Community with Mixed Feelings

From conversations in local groups and comments I've seen, Redmond feels divided.

Some residents are genuinely sad to see the festival go. Others are relieved. And many fall somewhere in the middle-understanding the disruption, but also recognizing the value the event brought to the local economy.

For me, it feels like a bit of a loss. Not because of the genre or the event itself, but because it was a clear economic booster and another way Redmond was gaining recognition beyond Central Oregon.

At the same time, Redmond has always been a town that evolves thoughtfully, even if change isn't always comfortable in the moment.

Growth, Change, and What Comes Next

Central Oregon has grown steadily since the beginning of the pandemic, at an estimated rate of about 1.51% annually. That growth shows up in many ways: new neighborhoods, expanded businesses, increased demand for housing, and more attention from people relocating from larger metro areas.

Events like Farewell were one visible sign of that growth-but they're not the whole story.

Redmond continues to invest in itself. Our downtown events, holiday celebrations, community gatherings, and locally supported businesses are still very much part of what makes this town special. Growth doesn't stop because one event leaves-it just shifts.

And often, that shift opens the door for something new.

Why This Matters When You're Thinking About Living in Redmond, Oregon

People don't move to Redmond for a single festival. They move here for the lifestyle, the sense of community, the access to Central Oregon's outdoor spaces, and the fact that this town still feels livable and connected.

Change is part of any growing community. Sometimes it looks loud and exciting. Sometimes it looks quieter and more subtle. But it's always happening.

For me, the bigger takeaway isn't what's leaving-it's curiosity about what's next for Redmond.

Looking Ahead with Optimism

Redmond has proven again and again that it knows how to adapt. While the Farewell Festival won't be part of this year's calendar, the town itself isn't slowing down.

I'm optimistic about what comes next-new opportunities, new events, and continued growth that still honors the small-town feel so many of us value.

If you're considering making Redmond, Oregon home, this moment is just one chapter in a much bigger story-and it's still being written.