INAUGURAL FESTIVAL TO FEATURE THREE DAYS OF BIKE RACING, PARTIES, BIKE ART AND A CELEBRATION OF THE DIA DE LOS MUERTOS TRADITION

(BEND, Ore.)—In the midst of hosting a record 8 USA Cycling national championships in 4 years, Bend is adding yet another cycling celebration to its annual roster. In October 2011, Bend will play host to the inaugural “Day of the Dead Cyclocross Festival” that will include the famous Halloween Cyclocross Crusades, the acclaimed Oregon Handmade Bicycle Show, the third annual Cross Culture Art Celebration, a cultural celebration showcasing the “Dia de los Muertos” holiday tradition, and much more.

THE THREE-DAY FESTIVAL WILL TAKE PLACE OCTOBER 28-30 AT VENUES THROUGHOUT THE CITY OF

BEND AND WILL FEATURE THE FOLLOWING EVENTS:

• The legendary Halloween Cyclocross Crusades will take place at Deschutes Brewery in the Old Mill District on October 29 and 30. Witness the fun and mayhem of over 1,000 cyclocross racers donning costumes and competing for Cross Crusade points. In addition to two days of epic racing, attendees will enjoy the sights, sounds and tastes of the Deschutes Brewery beer garden, live music, and cultural food and festivities. Visit www.crosscrusade.com for more information.• The acclaimed Oregon Handmade Bicycle Show will take place at GoodLife Brewing Company in Bend’s Century Center on October 29 and 30. Attendees will meet Oregon’s talented handmade bicycle manufacturers, see their newest bicycles, enjoy the delicious beer of GoodLife Brewing Company, and learn more about Oregon’s handmade bike industry. Free transportation will be provided between the Cross Crusades and the Oregon Handmade Bicycle Show. Visit www.oregonhandmadebicycleshow.com.

• The third annual Cross Culture art experience in downtown Bend celebrating bike art, Bend’s creative culture and the rich artistic heritage of the Dia de los Muertos tradition.

• The third annual Clydesdale Cyclocross Championship of the Universe will take place on Saturday night October 29 at Deschutes Brewery.

• Deschutes Brewery will host another not-to-be-missed warehouse party on Saturday night when they host their warehouse celebration of the Dia de los Muertos holiday and all things Cyclocross.

• The inaugural Cyclocross Super-D Championship of the Universe will take place on Friday afternoon October 29. Don’t miss this opportunity to be the first ever Cyclocross Super-D Champion of the Universe. Stay tuned to www.BendSuperD.com for details.

• Dia de los Muertos cultural celebrations will be happening at festival venues throughout the weekend in Bend.

Complete festival details can be found at www.DayOfTheDeadCyclocross.com .

Festival Schedule – Friday October 28

• 1:00 to 5:00PM: Cyclocross Super D Championship of the Universe. Open to mountain bikes and cross bikes. The winner of the Cyclocross division will be crowned the first ever “Cyclocross Super D Champion of the Universe.”

• 6 to 9PM: Cross Culture Art and Cyclocross Celebration in Downtown Bend. Experience the true meaning of Cross Culture with art, music and mayhem in downtown Bend.

• 10PM – 2AM: Enjoy the energy of the bars and restaurants of Downtown Bend

Saturday October 29

• 8AM to 4PM: Halloween Cross Crusade races in the Old Mill District and Deschutes Brewery.

• 10AM to 6PM: Oregon Handmade Bicycle Show at the Century Center and GoodLife Brewing Company.

• 8:30 – 9PM: Clydesdale Championship of the Universe in the Old Mill District and Deschutes Brewery.

• 9PM – 1AM: Deschutes Brewery Warehouse Bash

Sunday October 30

• 8AM to 4PM: Halloween Cross Crusade races in the Old Mill District and Deschutes Brewery.

• 10AM to 5PM: Oregon Handmade Bicycle Show at the Century Center and GoodLife Brewing Company.

About Bend

In recent years, Bend has been named #1 Town for Sportsmen (Outdoor Life), America’s Top Adventure Town (Men’s Journal), Top 10 Fly Fishing Towns in the U.S. (Fly Fisherman), one of the Best Fishing Towns in America (Field & Stream), best trail running town (Outside) one of the country’s Top Five Ski Towns (Travel + Leisure), and the #1 mountain biking town in the United States (Mountain Bike Action).

About Visit Bend:

Visit Bend is a non-membership, non-profit economic development organization dedicated to promoting tourism on behalf of the City of Bend. We’re a leading provider of information on Bend, Oregon hotels, restaurants, activities, and Oregon vacation planning. To learn more or to order a complimentary Official Visitor Guide to Bend, contact Visit Bend at 1-800-949-6086 or visit www.visitbend.com.