Bend Music Venue Renamed Hayden Homes Amphitheater

Longtime local homebuilder to partner with iconic music destination as title sponsor

A year after getting a new stage, Bend’s iconic amphitheater along the Deschutes River is getting a new name, too.

Live Nation is proud to announce that Central Oregon-based Hayden Homes will be the new name-in-title sponsor of the Old Mill District’s outdoor music venue, which was formerly known as the Les Schwab Amphitheater.

The largest outdoor music venue in the state, now known as the Hayden Homes Amphitheater, wrapped up its first year in partnership with Live Nation and the Old Mill District this past October, hosting 25 concerts. Nestled along the Deschutes River, the amphitheater has become a destination for musicians and fans alike known for its stunning natural beauty and intimate location right in the heart of Bend.

“As a local homebuilder established in Central Oregon, over 30 years ago, we are proud to partner with the Old Mill District and Live Nation to support an iconic venue that has a long commitment of bringing the community together,” says Steve Klingman, President at Hayden Homes. “We believe The Hayden Homes Amphitheater offers a place where we can join together, enjoy the benefits of live music, create memories and experience a true feeling of community.”

Built in 2001, the Hayden Homes Amphitheater is an independent, outdoor riverfront music venue located in the heart of the beautiful, historic Old Mill District, which incorporates shopping, dining, outdoor recreation, businesses and residences. Since its first season in 2002, the amphitheater has hosted more than one million guests in a unique and unmatched setting. With a mission of making both fans and artists feel welcome, the venue features scenic paths for pedestrians and cyclists, space for food vendors, and artist amenities like first-class dressing rooms, badminton, croquet, and inner tubes to float down the Deschutes River. All summer long the Hayden Homes Amphitheater presents some of the biggest names in entertainment, and the second-largest craft beer festival in the Pacific Northwest.

“We’re thrilled to partner with Hayden Homes,” said Marney Smith, the longtime director of the newly christened Hayden Homes Amphitheater. “Like us, they’re a family-owned business rooted in Central Oregon that wants to do what’s best for this community. The goal of the amphitheater has always been to provide a space for arts and culture in the heart of Bend.”

“Hayden Homes has been longtime supporters of not just our venue,” Smith added, “but community organizations throughout the region.”

Twenty years after its first show, the Hayden Homes Amphitheater has developed an unbeatable reputation, becoming an icon for consistently providing the best in live entertainment and having a strong economic impact on one of the region’s most popular destination areas. The amphitheater has and will continue to host a vast array of artists representing a wide range of music genres, including John Legend, Brandi Carlile, Luke Bryan, Alison Krauss, Dave Matthews Band, The Roots, Ringo Starr, Heart, Paul Simon, Coldplay, Willie Nelson, Trombone Shorty, Robert Plant, The Beach Boys, Portugal. The Man, Sheryl Crow, Diana Krall, The Avett Brothers, Bob Dylan, Alabama Shakes and many more.

“Hayden Homes shares the same values we do,” said Bill Smith, developer of the Old Mill District. “We named the venue after Les Schwab the man for 20 years, to honor his contribution to helping build the Old Mill District. Hayden Homes builds and invests in this community.”

“Passing the torch to Hayden Homes feels right,” he added.

The Les Schwab organization will still be meaningfully engaged at the venue.