🤠 Top weekly events & a Bridger Brewing giveaway

TOGETHER WITH

Howdy, Bozeman!

Congrats to our Feed Café giveaway winner — Tonya Shonkwiler! 🎉 We just sent you an email with details on how to claim your gift card.

Welcome to all our new readers. there’s a lot going on in town this week!

In today’s edition:

• 🏊️ Fall Swim lessons available

• 🥳 An Oktoberfest party, bluegrass festival, and tour of MSU’s tunnels

• 🤠 Top local events this weekend

• 🍕 A Bridger Brewing giveaway 🍺

— Sam Buenrostro

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

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 amazing responses:

TOGETHER WITH MAKIN’ WAVES SWIM LESSONS 🏊‍♀️

Fall’s a great time to help your kids (or grandkids!) build confidence in the water, and Jes with Makin’ Waves Swim Lessons is one of the best in the valley to guide them.

With 28 years of experience and a Master’s in Education, she brings a creative, gentle, and effective approach to teaching kids of all ages to overcome their fears and become confident swimmers.

Whether your little one is new to swimming, overcoming fear, or just needs to improve their skills, Jes meets them where they’re at and makes learning fun.

“I’ve told Jes that she is magic. She took a child that refused to even put his face in the water and transformed him to one that loves being in the water and is going to end the sessions being able to swim.” - Amy

• Lessons for all ages (1-75)

• Great for anxious swimmers or beginners

• Adept at working with all abilities (including kids with autism, ADHD, speech delays, anxiety, and more)

• CPR, First Aid, AED, and Lifeguard certified

• Personalized, playful approach that builds safety & confidence

You can check out more testimonials and info about Jessica’s lessons on her website here.

And if you’d like to reserve one of her limited spots for lessons this fall…

She’ll follow up personally to learn more about your swimmer and how she can support your goals. Happy swimming! 🏊️

Want to promote your business, event, or project in Howdy Bozeman? Reply to this email with details and let’s talk.

Before we get to this week’s events…

Thank YOU for all the incredible recommendations about local artists who should be shouted out!

We had several folks bring up one person’s work, so for this week’s spotlight artist, we’re highlighting Averi Iris (and her stunning bison painting)!

Averi has an open house on Sunday, September 21 from 11:00am-5:00pm, at 7720 Shedhorn Drive, with art, jewelry, hats, cards and food!

Check out her story and artwork on her Instagram @averiirisart.

And as always, if you’ve got an interesting art, music, creative, or personal project, email me and I’d love to share your work with Howdy Bozeman!

Wednesday 9/17

🌱 Connect with fellow sustainability enthusiasts at Green Drinks, a monthly informal gathering at Wild Joe's Coffee from 5:30pm-7:30pm for food, drinks, and chats about sustainability. Details.

🌻 Pick your own flowers at Amaltheia Farm on from 5:00pm-8:00pm! Enjoy their beautiful flower field and browse their farmer's market featuring vegetables, goat cheese, pork, and goat milk lotion. Details.

📚 Join bestselling author Kelly Corrigan in conversation with Tori Sproles at Country Bookshelf at 4:30pm, discussing her new picture book Marianne the Maker about a young inventor who needs time to create. Free admission, first-come-first-serve seating, with book signing to follow. RSVP appreciated. Details.

🤠 Learn country swing and line dancing with Country Renegades at The Jump in Gallatin Gateway from 7:00pm-9:00pm! Beginner and intermediate lessons available, no partner required. $10 per person to boot scoot the night away. Details.

Thursday 9/18

🕺 Step back in time at Prospera's 1985 Prom Prosperity Party at The Commons at Baxter and Love from 6:00pm-9:00pm. Celebrate 40 years of community success with big hair, pastel tuxedos, neon lights, and synth-pop vibes. Details.

🐦 Discover the wellness benefits of birdwatching at a free presentation on "Ornitherapy" at Wild Birds Unlimited at 4:00pm, where you’ll learn how connecting with birds and nature can boost your mental well-being. RSVP encouraged, limited seating. Details.

😂 Catch "Romantasy Live!" at Last Best Comedy's Thursday Night Out at 7:00pm! This week's improv show is inspired by the romantasy genre, part of their rotating lineup of new comedy performances. Details here.

🍖 Join Bodhi Farms' weekly Thursday Farm Party from 5:00pm-8:00pm for live music and BBQ. Only a few more left for the season! No reservations needed, all ages welcome. Details.

Friday 9/19

🎉 Enjoy a celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month on Romney Oval on MSU’s campus from 4:30pm-8:30pm with food trucks, dance performances, aerial silks and juggling classes by 406 Cirque, activities, and music by DJ Inkieto. Free to attend, all are welcome! Details.

🍻 Celebrate Oktoberfest at Stein & Swine, Bozeman's biggest Bavarian street party from 2:00pm-8:00pm! Enjoy a pig roast buffet, Bayern Brewing Oktoberfest steins, stein holding contests, pretzel toss competitions, prizes and giveaways, and family-friendly fun on Main Street at the gute Laune restaurant. Details.

🚗 Support a great cause at Tidal Wave Auto Spa's 17th annual Charity Day from 8:00am-8:00pm. Get your car washed and help Reach Inc. - 50% of all car wash proceeds will be donated to the organization. Details!

🎻 Don't miss Livingston's first-ever Bluegrass Festival at the Shane Lalani Center for the Arts! Friday features Nick Dumas and Branchline (6:00pm) and Stillhouse Junkies (8:00pm). Saturday starts at 1:00pm with a flatpicking guitar contest, followed by music from hometown favorites Benson's Landing String Band, Bridger Creek Boys, and Grand Ole Opry performers Crying Uncle Bluegrass Band. Youth 13 and under free! Details and tickets here.

Saturday 9/20

🍂 Celebrate the changing seasons at Gallatin Valley Garden Center's free Fall Celebration from 10:00am-2:00pm! Enjoy kids' crafts, scavenger hunts, demos, classes, raffles, and a $29 all-inclusive terrarium bar. Hot drinks and cool beverages provided for all ages. Details here.

🦎 Explore the Big Sky Reptile Expo at the GranTree Inn in Bozeman starting at 10:00am. Browse live reptiles, amphibians, insects, arachnids, and exotic plants from professional breeders, plus catch the family-friendly "James of the Jungle" educational shows at 11:00am and 2:00pm. Details and tickets here.

🦙 Join PAKA for a family-friendly alpaca hike at South Cottonwood Trailhead from 10:00am-2:00pm! Meet the team, learn about alpaca fiber, experience their super-soft gear, and hang out with some adorable alpacas. Morning beverages provided by Ghost Town Coffee Roasters. (I can’t wait for this one!) Details.

🔧 Celebrate slow fashion at Studio Wheelhouse's Repair Faire from 2:00pm-6:00pm! Learn upcycling with sewing and embroidery demos, get expert repairs on your favorite clothes, enjoy shoe shining and patch customization, plus browse an upcycled market featuring artists who craft new designs from old materials. Details and RSVP here.

🎨 Get inked for a cause at Lucky 7 Tattoo's pop-up fundraiser from 12:00pm-8:00pm. Local artists are donating their time to create flash-style tattoos, with proceeds supporting Cancer Support Community Montana. Details.

🧚‍♀️ Experience the final magical evening in Bumblewood at Glen Lake Rotary Park from 5:30pm-7:30pm. This free trail-based performance features the Montana Ballet Company, Megan Makeever, Heather Buck and Heidi Krutchkoff, and the Celtic Collective filling the fairy village with enchanting music, dance, and stories. Details.

🏈 Cheer on the Bobcats as MSU Football takes on Mercyhurst at Bobcat Stadium at 1:00pm. Tickets here.

Sunday 9/21

🎬 Check out the award-winning documentary “Out There: A National Parks Story” at The ELM at 5:00pm. Follow two friends on their 10,000-mile road trip through U.S. national parks, followed by a Q&A with director Brendan Hall and special guests. Details and tickets here.

✂️ Learn the basics of sewing at the Bozeman Public Library's Community Room from 2:00pm-4:00pm. Discover different stitches, threading, bobbin winding, and machine features using the library's Heavy Duty Singer machines. Details.

🎶 Soak up great music and good vibes with Johnny Dango performing live at Norris Hot Springs from 7:00pm-9:30pm. Details.

Monday 9/22

🌑 Join Wild Wisdom Collective for a New Moon Cacao Ceremony on Monday at 6:00pm. The evening includes guided meditation, astro-chat, and an enthralling cacao ceremony. Advance tickets required. Details.

🚴‍♂️ Enjoy a sneak peek of Bozeman's future world-class community bike park at the Bikefill Open House from 5:30pm-6:30pm! Tour the 66-acre site south of Snowfill Recreation Area where 5+ miles of singletrack and bike park amenities for all ages will be built. Celebrate before or after at MAP Brewing, which donates $0.50 per pint sold from 4pm-8pm to GVLT on Monday nights in September. Details.

Tuesday 9/23

🎿 Get ready for ski season at the Level 1 Freeski Film Tour at The ELM with doors at 6:30pm and show at 7:30pm! Watch the year’s best ski movies on the big screen while scoring free swag, signed posters from pros, and entering huge giveaways. Details and tickets here.

🍕 Support Cottonwood Day School at Sidewall Pizza's "Pizza for a Purpose" fundraiser from 11:00am-9:00pm, and get free breadsticks with tomato sauce when you dine-in. A portion of all sales will benefit the school! Details.

Wednesday 9/24

🚇 Explore the hidden world beneath MSU campus at the Underground Tunnel Tour from 1:00pm-2:00pm! Meet at the Montana State Heat Plant to discover the underground tunnels that run throughout the university grounds. Details on MSU’s website.

✨ Celebrate MSU Homecoming Week at the traditional Lighting of the 'M' at Story Mill Park from 7:00pm-8:00pm! Enjoy music, popcorn, and beverages while student leaders place LED lights around the iconic M. Details.

😂 Last Best Comedy presents “The Roast of Yellowstone National Park” comedy show at 8:00pm. 18+. Details.

🌽 Get lost in the Bozeman Maze opening September 24th at 1340 E. Valley Center Road! Navigate the 5000+ bale maze, enjoy hayrides, a mini-train, the PowerJump bungee trampoline, and corn bins in a relaxing community atmosphere. Details.

Want a Featured Event with a poster? Reach out.

Meet Boomer, a sweet 9-year-old boy who loves walks and cozy naps. 🐶

Meet Aluminum, a handsome 3-year-old guy looking for his forever home. 🐈️

Visit Heart Of The Valley Animal Shelter to meet Boomer and Aluminum, between 12pm-5:30pm, Tuesday through Sunday.

BTW - if you’ve adopted one of the pets featured in a previous Howdy newsletter, we’d love to hear how it’s going, and see some pictures of them in their new forever home!

This week, we’re giving away a $25 gift card to Bridger Brewing!

The giveaway runs from today until next Tuesday, 9/23, at 11:59pm, and we’ll announce the winner in next week’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 “BRIDGER”!

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

That’s all for this week, hope you enjoyed the read!

See ya next week 👋

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