The Downtown Bozeman Association and downtown businesses are proud to present the 2026 Summer Crazy Days Sidewalk Sale! Downtown Bozeman’s Summer Crazy Days begins Friday, July 17th and goes through Sunday, July 19th. Please note, specific event timing will vary depending on individual business hours, typically 10 AM – 5 PM.

Summer Crazy Days, also known as the “best Summer sale in Bozeman”, will offer amazing sales, specials, and promotions throughout the weekend. Expect to find some of the best deals on summer merchandise and inventory sales from downtown retailers, as well as dine-in and take-out specials from restaurants, bars, and coffee shops alike!

Downtown Businesses as well as DBA Members located outside of downtown will be participating and offering fantastic sales.

Check out some Crazy Deals below:

Architects Wife – 20% off Storewide, Excludes Consignment Art, Special discounts on "One of a Kind Finds"
Barefoot Campus Outfitters – A sale rack outside the store, Balloons, Our spin-the-wheel game with discounts and freebies, + Complimentary water and sodas for shoppers
Barton Perreira – Deeply discounted optical and sunglass frames as well as 20% off prescription lenses with a frame purchase
Carlisle – Carlisle Burger for $15. BLUE CREEK MARBLED RANCH CARLISLE BURGER - Angus beef with white cheddar and Carlisle sauce on an Aurore Bakery brioche bun topped with lettuce, tomato, onion and pickle | 20 *** Served with crispy fries or potato chips
Earth’s Treasures – 50% off Mystery Boxes and Bags!
Element Bozeman – 10% off meeting spaces. Simply mention “Crazy Days” promotion at time of booking.
Inland Boutique - 30% off BAGGU, Up to 80% off select clothing, receive one giveaway entry with every in-store purchase
Intrigue Ink – $15 tanks, @20 tees, $25 sweatshirts
Lockhorn Cider - $1 stickers, $2 12oz cans, $3 16oz cans, $4 pints of Bozeman Backyard Blend, $5 hummus plates
mär-ket-plās – Kids’ flower bar - $1 a stem; Curated wine table at 15%; Specialty Food Items at 75% off
Sacks – Bag sale on July 18th for $10/bag! Bags provided by Owenhouse Ace Hardware
Sky Shed at the Kimpton Armory – The deals don’t stop when the shopping starts! Join us during Downtown Bozeman’s Crazy Days for Golden Hour from open to close in Sky Shed! 2-11 PM
Sweet Pea Festival – Selling discounted “vintage” merch
Tune Up at the Kimpton Armory – The deals don’t stop when the shopping starts! Join us during Downtown Bozeman’s Crazy Days for Happy Hour from open to close in Tune Up! 6 PM - 12 AM
Wild Wisdom – Up to 70% off Select Items

More special promotions and deals will be shared on our Instagram and Facebook Event.

There is no cost for shoppers or businesses to participate in Summer Crazy Days. The event is FREE and open to the public and will take place rain or shine!

For more information, please visit downtownbozeman.org/crazydays or ring the Downtown Bozeman Partnership office at 406-586-4008.

HELENA – Hoot-owl restrictions take effect Saturday, July 11 at 2 p.m. on the following rivers: 

North-central Montana: 

• Sun River – from the Highway 287 bridge to the mouth of Muddy Creek 

Southwest Montana: 

• Lower Madison River – From Warm Springs Fishing Access Site to the confluence with the Jefferson River 

• Madison River above Hebgen Reservoir – From the upstream most Yellowstone National Park boundary to Hebgen Reservoir 

• Lower Beaverhead River – From Highway 41 near East Bench Road and Beaverhead Rock to its confluence with the Big Hole River 

Hoot-owl restrictions prohibit fishing from 2 p.m. to midnight each day. These restrictions will stay in effect until conditions improve.     

To check for other restrictions, click here.    

FWP's drought policy provides for angling restrictions when flows drop below critical levels for fish, when water quality is diminished or when maximum daily water temperatures reach at least 73 degrees for three consecutive days. Water temperatures of 77 degrees or more can be lethal to trout.     

These restrictions are designed to protect fish that become more susceptible to disease and mortality when water temperatures warm. Restricting angling to only cool morning hours can help reduce catch-and-release mortality.     

Catch-and-release anglers can reduce stress on fish by getting them to the net or in hand quickly, keeping them in the water and reviving them prior to releasing them back into the river.      

As the summer warms, Montana offers many other angling options with better conditions for fish, including larger lakes or reservoirs, or higher elevation lakes and streams.    

Along with monitoring stream temperatures, FWP also monitors stream flows and, in some streams, holds instream flow water rights. FWP’s water program can issue a call on junior water users, when appropriate, to contribute to stream flows through the late summer and early fall. For more information on FWP water rights, click here.    

The Downtown Bozeman Association, Downtown Bozeman art galleries and retailers, and Emerson Center for the Arts and Culture are proud to present the 2026 Downtown Bozeman Art Walk Series. This year’s Art Walks will occur on the 2nd Friday of the month; June through September from 6 to 8 PM, with a special Winter Art Walk in December.

Over 35 participating businesses will feature local artists and often provide hors d’oeuvres and complimentary refreshments to the visiting community members. All business participants and their monthly featured artists can be found on our robust website: https://downtownbozeman.org/artwalks. This go-to guide will be updated frequently throughout the Art Walks season and features a printable map for planning purposes.

THIS FRIDAY, July 10th the series continues in Downtown Bozeman! Be among the first to explore Studio Noble, where, for the first time ever, visitors can enjoy both floors of the gallery, including the newly opened ground floor at 129 E Main, creating an immersive art experience unlike any other. At AC Hotel, discover the expressive wilderness paintings of Steven Lee Wenzel, whose lifelong connection to the outdoors and belief in the interconnectedness of nature shine through every canvas. A Banks Gallery is proud to feature Kira Fercho, a modern impressionist celebrated for her richly textured oil paintings of Montana landscapes, iconic tipis, and aspens that capture the beauty and spirit of the American West. At Gem Gallery, admire the mixed media works of Hailey Hosken, whose whimsical interpretations of Montana's geology and landscapes are inspired by her time spent climbing, trail running, and exploring the outdoors. Complete your evening at Wild Wisdom Collective, where intuitive artist Marika Reinke shares vibrant paintings inspired by color, movement, storytelling, and adventure, creating works that invite viewers to connect with both nature and the human experience.

Along with supporting this community tradition, our business sponsors help provide live performances by local musicians! A special thank you to Bozeman Daily Chronicle, First Security Bank, KBZK, Outside Bozeman, and 94.7 "The Moose". Look for live performances from local bands and musicians throughout downtown!

Art Walks are open to the public and will take place rain or shine! For more information, please visit https://downtownbozeman.org/artwalks or ring the DBP Office at 406-586-4008.

Want a hands-on career? Then you might like to consider a role in auto tech.

Automotive service technicians earned a median salary of $49,670 in 2024, according to the latest figures from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. For someone starting out in Bozeman, that means real earning potential.

Steady growth also makes the field attractive. Shops will keep hiring as experienced techs retire and vehicles stay on the road longer.

So, let’s explore the key steps to take to begin an auto tech career in Bozeman.

Learn the Basics of Modern Automotive Technology

Cars are no longer just engines and brakes. Today’s vehicles rely on advanced electronics, software systems, and driver-assist features.

According to a 2026 industry overview from Resumeio, employers expect knowledge in mechanical systems, electronics, and customer service. For you, that means learning how to diagnose computer-based problems and developing soft skills in addition to acing mechanics.

Start by understanding core systems like engines, transmissions, braking, and electrical components. High-voltage safety and ADAS calibration are also becoming must-have skills as more hybrid and electric vehicles hit the roads.

Select the Right Education for Your Chosen Career Path

Education shapes where you land in the industry. The right training program gives you hands-on experience, real diagnostic practice, and the confidence to step into a working shop on day one.

Before enrolling, think about the type of role you want. For instance, you could become:

If you are aiming for entry level automotive technician jobs, look for programs that provide ASE credentials and combine classroom study with practical experience, such as those at NYADI.

Selecting the right education establishment to match your training to your long-term goal can save you time, money, and frustration.

Earn Industry Certifications to Stand Out

You should be aware that certification signals competence. Employers and customers both recognize the value of ASE (National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence) credentials.

Technicians must pass exams and complete work experience requirements to become certified. Tests are challenging, and recertification is required every five years, which keeps your skills current.

Earning even one or two certifications can increase your pay potential and credibility. Certifications often lead to higher hourly rates and better job offers.

Gain Hands-On Experience as Early as Possible

Shops want techs who can step into a service bay and contribute quickly. Classroom knowledge alone will not get you there.

Apprenticeships, internships, and entry-level shop roles help you develop speed and accuracy. Learning how to diagnose efficiently, communicate with service advisors, and follow safety procedures makes you valuable fast.

Even part-time work at a local Bozeman repair shop can teach workflow, tool management, and customer interaction. Each of those skills builds your reputation.

Keep Up With EV and Advanced Systems Training

Electric and hybrid vehicles are growing fast. Technicians who understand high-voltage systems and software diagnostics will have more options.

There is strong projected growth for technicians specializing in electric vehicles. Growth in EV repair means more opportunities for techs willing to expand their skills.

Montana’s car culture may not lead the nation in EV adoption, but change is coming. Adding EV safety and diagnostics training keeps your career future-ready.

Building a Career That Grows With You

Starting an auto tech career in Bozeman begins with solid training, smart certification choices, and hands-on experience. Each step builds momentum toward higher pay and more specialized roles.

Automotive technology will keep evolving, and the demand for skilled technicians is not slowing down. If you are exploring entry level automotive technician jobs or planning your education path, take time to research programs, talk to instructors, and connect with local shops.

Has this article been useful? If so, take a look at some of our other helpful posts.

HELENA – Catastrophe averted.

The exceptional skills of inspectors at the Anaconda boat check station stopped an invasive mussel fouled wake boat from Minnesota earlier this week from potentially introducing zebra mussels into Montana waters.

The boat, which was on its way to Georgetown Lake, was transporting hundreds of zebra mussels, some attached to the boat and some attached to pieces of Eurasian watermilfoil, another invasive species, on the trailer. The boat also had ballast tanks, which never completely drain, making them a good environment for transporting mussels.

Because the boat had only been out of the water for four days, inspectors suspected that the mussels were still viable. Mussels can survive up to 30 days out of the water.

“Boats like this can ruin Montana’s waters forever,” said Tom Woolf, FWP’s aquatic invasive species (AIS) bureau chief. “This is the boat that would introduce mussels.”

The boater was unaware that he was transporting mussels. After the inspectors decontaminated the boat, it was locked to the trailer and FWP wardens responded to ensure it would not launch.

As a reminder, all watercraft entering Montana are required to be inspected for aquatic invasive species. You must obtain an inspection before launching on Montana waters. Stop at all open inspections stations you encounter. Find inspections stations here

• Boats with a ballast or bladder, such as wakeboard or wake-surfing boats, that intend to launch on Montana waters must be decontaminated before launching.
• While planning your trip to Montana, if you find you will not encounter a watercraft inspection station on your way to your destination, Idaho, Wyoming, and Alberta inspection stations fulfill the before-launch requirements of Montana.
• Stop at ALL open inspection stations you encounter in Montana where your watercraft may be re-inspected.

Always remember to clean, drain and dry.

Gallatin County, MT – On July 31st Gallatin County Emergency Management will be testing the Community Notification System for registered users in Northern Gallatin County.  Gallatin County has multiple approaches to disseminating emergency information, with community members registering in the Community Notification System providing us the highest accuracy and speed in targeting those directly affected by an incident.  This test is an opportunity for the community to verify they are receiving notifications like they expect.  As time goes on, people move and contact information changes which unfortunately sometimes leads to people not receiving important information they are expecting to receive.

The community is encouraged to log in and verify they have the correct contact information and locations they want to be alerted for.  For individuals who may not already be registered, this is a great opportunity to spend 5 minutes to register in the Community Notification System and ensure they receive critical information that applies directly to them.

More information on the Community Notification System and registration is available at Alerts.ReadyGallatin.com.