Local culture is defined by the places and events where people congregate and the distinct style and flair of a community. Here in Central Oregon, nowhere is the local culture more visible than at our multitude of festivals.

Spring, summer, fall, and winter all feature their own festivals where the community gets together, enjoys some music, food and eclectic entertainment.

Recently on Feb. 8, 9 and 10 downtown Bend and Seventh Mountain Resort teamed up to host the latest incarnation of this seasonal festival. Produced by Lay It out Events, the production company responsible for the Bite of Bend and the Central Oregon Earth Day Celebration, this was a three day long celebration of snow sports, local businesses, specialty food stands and music.

The nights were highlighted by the rail jam where skiers and snowboarders, some as young as 13, dropped from a 48 eight foot tall lip and then flew over ramps demonstrating various jumps, spins and flips. The air was peppered with cheers and guitars as music emanated from the outdoor stage next to the rail jam.

Erika Schwarz

On Saturday night, the festival came to a frothy head with the snow riders tearing up the rail jam and the all female AC/DC style cover band, Hells Belles, grinding out some good time rock-n-roll. Unfortunately the crowd was large and the stage was low so it was difficult to see the band, but for the occasional flying dread lock.

However this festival was not all power chords and shredding powder. Local teen dance groups performed routines for a packed tent of parents; artists carved sculptures out of ice blocks; a giant inflatable castle invited children to jump and bounce, and in the big tent local vendors displayed everything from local art to pointy hats.

The Central Oregon Community College Powder Brigade represented the skiers and snowboarders from the college with a fund raising raffle to support a uniquely suitable charity.

“We are selling ticket for a raffle for Snowdays,” said COCC student Kara Tucker “It is a non-profit organization which helps get kids from the inner cities a chance to go to the mountain.”

However this was not the only charity benefiting from the Winterfest. Girls Go Outside, a local Bend charity which encourages young women to be more active, received 20 percent of the money raised from button sales at the event.

Winterfest was not just a great weekend of entertainment; it was also an exhibition of the best Central Oregon has to offer.