Prineville vent to spur talks about mental health, addiction planned
Published 5:00 am Wednesday, April 1, 2026
The Fifth Annual Kiefer’s Magical Birthday Bash will return with two days of live music, connection and mental health awareness.
The celebration begins Friday, April 10, at Wild Ride Brewing in Prineville, featuring the Scotty Wilson Band and Music Medicine. Festivities continue Saturday, April 11, at Wild Ride Brewing in Redmond, with a performance by Countryfied. The free, family friendly event spans two locations with the goal of bringing the community together in support of mental health awareness.
Kiefer’s Magical Birthday Bash was created to honor the life and legacy of Kiefer Leutschaft, who died in 2021 after battling mental illness. Following his passing, the Leutschaft family, of Redmond, partnered with Rimrock Trails and Wild Ride Brewing, where Kiefer worked, to establish the Kiefer Magical Legacy Fund.
Kiefer Leutschaft was a beloved son, brother and friend who grew up in Redmond and attended Redmond High School. He later graduated from the University of Oregon with a degree in economics. He had close friends and a loving family but struggled with debilitating anxiety, which eventually led to clinical depression. He died on Oct. 3, 2021, leaving his family and friends devastated. April 1, 2026, would have been his 31st birthday.
What began as a remembrance event has grown into an annual gathering focused on connection, hope, and breaking down the stigma surrounding mental health challenges. A primary goal of the event is to encourage open conversations about mental health and addiction while empowering individuals to seek services and begin their journey toward recovery and well-being.
“This event exemplifies just how much can be accomplished when people and organizations come together with a shared commitment to the mental health of our community,” organizers said. “Working together, the magic is kept alive.”
Proceeds from the event benefit the Kiefer Magical Legacy Fund, which contributes to the Rimrock Trails Client Financial Support Fund and the Kiefer Leutschaft Memorial Scholarships.