🤠 Top weekly events & a Dee-O-Gee giveaway

TOGETHER WITH

Howdy, Bozeman!

Congrats to our Little Pink Coffee Trailer giveaway winner — Alisha Kallioinen! 🎉 We just sent you an email with details on how to claim your gift card.

Important News: We have a big update to the Howdy Bozeman newsletter! They’ve been getting a little long recently, and there’s even more cool stuff I want to share with you to help support our local community.

To do this effectively (without turning each newsletter into a novel!) we will begin sending 2 shorter (but just as useful) emails per week, on:

• Monday morning, with a look at the week ahead

• Thursday afternoon, with a pre-weekend briefing

This will start next Monday, 10/20. I have so many fun things planned to help shine a light on all the amazing people and things going on in the valley…

And I promise to continue to do my best to make each newsletter as valuable, helpful, and fun as possible, to help you be more connected to our community and what’s happening locally.

As always, your support means the world to me, and I want to say a huge thank you for reading and being part of Howdy Bozeman. 💛

With that out of the way, let’s get into today’s edition!

• 🛍️ The Fall Bozeman MADE Fair is back

• 🎉 Halloween events get started, National Fossil Day at MOR, and a free winter clothing drive

• 🤠 Top local events this weekend

• 🐶 A Dee-O-Gee giveaway 🦴

— Sam Buenrostro

P.S. For free entry into this week’s giveaway, reply to this email with the word “DOGGO”.

And for a BONUS entry, reply with a shoutout to someone who made your week better 🙂 Include their name and what you appreciate about them, and we’ll share some of the top answers in next week’s newsletter (your answers will be anonymous!)

Here are some of last week’s replies:

TOGETHER WITH BOZEMAN FIELD SCHOOL 🎓️ 

Bozeman Field School is a small, independent high school (grades 9-12) that takes a hands-on approach to learning. Students combine traditional academics with experiential courses, outdoor programs, and real-world projects that help them grow in and out of the classroom.

Right now, Field School students are preparing for a service learning trip to the Dominican Republic, and they’re hosting a Silent Auction & Raffle to help make it happen.

It’s coming up on Friday, November 15 from 5-7pm at the Story Mansion for an evening featuring Last Best Comedy’s improv show, student storytellers, and some incredible prizes. All proceeds will go toward helping students afford their trip costs.

Learn more about the incredible work the Field School is doing here, and grab your tickets for their upcoming event.

(You can also check them out on Instagram @bozemanfieldschool to learn more about their programs, upcoming events, and how to tour the school).

🆕 Some fun, local small businesses I found this week on Instagram: @stitched.bozeman, who makes cute patchwork sweatshirts, and @beaver_bites_puzzles who makes beautiful hand-cut puzzles. Check ‘em out 🙂

⛷️ Eagle Mount winter volunteer registration is now open! They’re looking for volunteers for their snowsports program at Bridger Bowl and/or Big Sky. Details.

🦃 HRDC’s 18th Annual Huffing for Stuffing Race is also open for registration! Run or walk to give back and ensure valley families have food for the holidays. Details.

🔮 Intrigue Ink is hosting a live screen printing on Saturday, October 18th from 12:00pm-5:00pm! Bring a light-colored shirt for a free printing (one day only), with tarot readings while you wait. Details. (Also, they’re trying to hit 1k followers on TikTok so they can promote their business on there, and are sitting at 975 - give them a follow here to help get them over the line!)

💜 The Compassion Project presents The Level-Up Collective: Showing Up Stronger Together - a three-part men’s series on Wednesdays October 22nd, 29th, and November 5th from 6:30pm-8:30pm at American Legion (225 E Main St, upstairs). Face challenges, share stories, and build resilience in a supportive space, with food and beverages provided. Capped at 20 spots, so RSVP soon. Details.

💼 Featured Job of the Week - City of Bozeman is hiring a full-time Streets Operator to keep our streets running smoothly ($32.64/hour + benefits). Apply here.

Want to promote your business, event, or project to thousands of locals who read Howdy Bozeman every week?

This week’s featured local artist is Brigette Lebel, who runs Wildhare Metalworks.

She makes beautiful handmade, small-batch jewelry here in Bozeman, that’s all about fostering self-expression and staying connected to the natural world.

Check out her latest work on Instagram @wildhare_metalworks - you may just find your next favorite piece.

On to this week’s events!

Today: 10/15

🎃 Thriving Dads hosts a free event for dads and their kids at Rocky Creek Farm (34297 Frontage Rd) on from 5:30pm-7:00pm. Enjoy dinner, free wagon hay rides, and pumpkins for 35¢ per pound. Registration required - details.

💜 Last Best Comedy presents the Bridgercare Variety Show at 7pm, with hilarious stories, zany acts and more. 18+, inclusive and friendly space for all. Details.

🎬 The Ellen Theatre screens “The American Southwest” at 7:00pm. This film journeys down the Colorado River showcasing wildlife and advocating for conservation. A Q&A follows the event for a discussion with filmmaker Chet Stefan. Details.

Thursday 10/16

💃 The Werkin’ It Dance Workout Class is happening from 5:30pm-6:30pm at Access Fitness. (It’s a high-energy hip-hop workout with 2000s throwbacks and club bangers). Free for members, $5 drop-in, first-timers FREE. Details.

👻 Calling all teen creators and spook seekers! Build DIY Mini Haunted Houses at the Bozeman Public Library’s Teen Maker Lab from 4:00pm-5:00pm at The Work Bench! This hands-on workshop invites you to experiment with new tools, dabble in hair-raising design, and try tasty treats while you craft. Free to attend. Details.

🎱 Support veterans’ mental health at Bingo Night at 6:00pm at The Market Food Hall at Ferguson Farms (730 Boardwalk Ave)! Play for $2 per game, win prizes, and know all proceeds support veterans. All ages welcome for an evening of fun and solidarity. Details.

🌎 The Ellen Theatre presents “Wild, from Pole to Pole” at 7:30pm! Wildlife photographer Rich Kirchner and naturalist Marylou Blakeslee take you on a 90-minute journey from the High Arctic to Antarctica, exploring wild areas and amazing creatures. Includes a multimedia slideshow/video and Q&A celebrating wild places worldwide. Details.

💌 Enjoy a cozy evening of creativity at the Gallatin History Museum with local artist Pat Hamlin, who’ll guide you in making your own fabric postcard. Light supper is included, but reservations are required. Details.

😂 Catch the Halloween Edition of The Stand-Up Pop-Up at Après Brewing at 6:00pm! Featuring comedians Kyle, Shelly, Will, Kulseth, and Howls Laws. Free admission, 21+, general seating. Come in costume for $1 off beers! May contain mature material. Details.

Friday 10/17

🥞 Join Family Promise of Gallatin Valley for a Pancake Breakfast as they celebrate 20 years of walking alongside local families experiencing housing insecurity and homelessness - from 8:00am-10:00am at Rising Stars (1603 Tschache Lane)! Enjoy a hot breakfast, meet the team, and reflect on two decades of community impact, with plenty of syrup and smiles to go around (free to attend). Details.

🧺 Treasure hunters, this one’s for you. Browse clothes, books, homegoods, and one-of-a-kind vintage gems at Pilgrim Church’s annual rummage sale from 12:00pm-6:00pm. Proceeds support local outreach programs. Bring a tote bag and your best thrifting energy! Details.

🖼️ Bozeman MADE Fair returns to Brick Breeden Fieldhouse Friday & Saturday, featuring 195+ skilled artisans and non-profits. Shop curated handcrafted goods from functional to heirloom fine art. Friday: $10 VIP entry from 5:00pm-8:00pm. Saturday: $5 Early Bird entry from 9:00am-10:00am, FREE entry from 10:00am-4:00pm. Details.

🎨 Learn to make and tell stories with a crankie (ancient storytelling device) at the Bozeman Public Library Community Room from 12:30pm-3:30pm! Artist Kelsi Tjernagel teaches this workshop for youth aged 8-18 in partnership with Random Acts of Silliness. (Free to attend). Details.

🎃 Southwest MT Cosplay Society hosts a Halloween Fashion Show and Costume Contest at Verge Theater at 6:00pm! Costumes encouraged - contest participants pay at the door, all others free. $5 kids, $10 adults. A great opportunity to show off your spooky style! Details.

Saturday 10/18

🏴‍☠️ After bad weather last week, The Pasture Drive-In Theater rescheduled the last outdoor movie night of the season for the Pirates of the Caribbean to this Saturday evening! Gates open at 5:00pm, tacos for dinner, and there’s a costume contest and dance-off, with showtime at 7:00pm. Details.

👻 Mountain Air Dance presents their Halloween Slumber Party Aerial Dance Show at the Emerson, with shows at 6:00pm, 6:45pm, 7:30pm, and 8:15pm (30 min each). Free tickets, donations appreciated. Ages 8+ recommended - details.

🎭 Last Best Comedy presents Foxxy Horror at 9:00pm! Experience a fully improvised Rocky Horror Show complete with musical numbers, costumes, call-outs, and audience participation. Details.

🎵 KGLT Record Fair & Music Swap returns at the MSU SUB Room 233/235! Southwest Montana’s only vinyl sale features records, CDs, tapes, hi-fi gear, and guitars. $5 Early Bird entry from 9:00am-10:00am, and free entry from 10:00am-3:00pm. All proceeds support KGLT-FM community radio. Details.

🪄 Create a stained glass cauldron suncatcher at Studio Wheelhouse’s intermediate class from 12:00pm-6:00pm! Practice soldering and cutting skills using the copper foil method, with all supplies and personal instruction included with your ticket. Details.

🦖 Celebrate National Fossil Day at Museum of the Rockies from 9:00am-4:00pm. Explore special booths in Siebel Dinosaur Complex, meet fossil preparators in the Bowman Viewing Lab for Q&A, and attend talks from paleoartist Jennifer Hall (11:00am) and Dr. John Scannella (1:00pm). Details.

🍺 Montana Fresh Hop Fest celebrates harvest season at the Gallatin Valley Fairgrounds Barns #1 and #2 from 3:00pm-8:00pm. Sample fresh-hopped beers from 40+ Montana breweries, and enjoy live music and local food vendors. Details.

🍖 Sitka Gear Bozeman hosts Wild Game Cooking with Michelin-starred chef Joe Bonavita from 5:00pm-7:00pm. Watch Chef Bonavita prepare wild game dishes in-store while learning tips, techniques, and recipes. This is a great time to enjoy incredible food and great company at a special culinary event. Details.

💜 We Are HER presents their Survivor Stories Reception from 6:00pm-8:00pm at Bozeman Event Space. This gallery reception raises awareness about domestic violence impacts through survivor stories and art, highlighting strength, resilience, and hope. All proceeds support survivor services. Free for MSU students, $25 general admission. Details.

🎬 The Ellen Theatre screens Bring Them Home at 7:30pm. This powerful documentary follows Blackfoot Confederacy members bringing buffalo back to ancestral lands. Montana filmmakers Daniel Glick and Ivy MacDonald will present with the film, which provides a testament to Indigenous sovereignty, cultural survival, and generational healing. Details.

🧥 Bienvenidos a Gallatin Valley hosts a Winter Clothing Drive this weekend at Christus Collegium (714 S 8th Ave). Drop off gently used winter coats, pants, hats, scarves, gloves, boots, and blankets Saturday from 9:00am-12:00pm, with free community distribution Sunday 9:00am-12:00pm. All welcome to grab clothing for themselves and families to ensure a safe, warm winter. Details.

Sunday 10/19

🚶 Join the Gallatin Valley CROP Hunger Walk, with registration at 1:30pm and the walk starting at 2:00pm at Gallatin Valley Food Bank. Take steps and raise funds to provide meals locally and support food security programs worldwide. Details.

💗 Support Cancer Support Community Montana at Sunday FUND-ay at Bozeman Brewing Company from 2:00pm-8:00pm! 10% of all sales will be donated to CSCMT as part of PNKBZN. Details.

🎃 Join Pinspiration Bozeman's Spooktacular Squishmallow Paint Party from 3:00pm-4:30pm. Each guest selects a surprise 5” Halloween Squishmallow from a mystery box, paints its portrait, makes s’mores, and takes home an adoption certificate. Reservations required, limited seating. Details.

✂️ Get help with sewing projects and mending at the Bozeman Public Library's Sewing Circle from 2:00pm-4:00pm! Experienced instructor Peg Ziegler will assist with questions and troubleshooting. Bring your own mending projects, machines provided. Ages 18+, prior experience with sewing machines is required, and registration needed. Details.

We’ve got a special feature today just for sweet Harley. We featured him a month ago - and he’s still up for adoption 🥲 He’s 12 years old, and while one of his hind legs is busted, his big heart is as playful as ever - and he’d love a new family to call home 🐶

Stop by Heart Of The Valley Animal Shelter to meet Harley any time Tuesday through Sunday, from 12pm-5:30pm.

And send us an email if you end up adopting him, we’d love to hear the good news!

This week, we’re supporting your doggos with a giveaway for a $25 gift card to Dee-O-Gee!

The giveaway runs from today until this Sunday, 10/19, at 11:59pm, and we’ll announce the winner in Monday’s newsletter.

All you have to do to be entered into this week’s giveaway is be subscribed to this newsletter, and reply to this email with the word “DOGGO”!

If someone forwarded this email to you and you’re not subscribed, click here to subscribe for free.

That’s all for this week! See you on Monday 👋

Follow us on Instagram and TikTok @howdybozeman for regular updates on what’s going on in town!

P.S. If someone forwarded this to you, subscribe to Howdy Bozeman below, and stay tuned for our next newsletter.