October is amazing in Bozeman! There are a lot of fun fall activities happening featuring autumn themes and of course, Halloween! We've compiled a huge list for you so you don't have to dig for them all. Tell them Bozeman Magazine told ya so!

Bozeman Straw Bale Maze
    •    1340 E Valley Center Road, Bozeman, MT
    •    Call (406) 388-7818
    •    Open October 2nd - October 27th, 2019
    •    Wednesdays:6:00pm - 9:00pm
    •    Fridays:5:00pm - 9:00pm
    •    Saturdays:10:00am - 9:00pm
    •    Sundays:12:00pm - 6:00pm 
    •    Sat. Oct. 12 10am-2pm

Montana Corn Maze
4605 W Cameron Bridge Rd, Manhattan, MT
    •    Ticket Prices: $8 -- Ages 12 and up, $6 -- Ages 4-11
    •    FREE for ages 3 and under
    •    Cash and credit card are accepted
    •    October - Fridays 5:00 pm-8:00 pm
    •    October - Saturdays 11:00 am-8:00 pm
    •    Saturday, October 26: regular maze tickets will be sold from 11:00 am to 4:30 pm. The maze will be emptied at 5:15 pm in preparation for the haunted maze.

Halloween Happenings/Kids Day
Goodwill 2130 Simmental Way, Bozeman and 6161 Jackrabbit Ln, Belgrade
    •    Saturday, October 12
    •    1 PM – 4 PM
Special Halloween activities, games, treats and fun! Enter to win a four-pack of tickets to the Addams Family movie!

Sunset Hills Cemetary Tour
Sunset Hills Cemetary 
   •   Fri. Oct. 18 7pm & Sat. Oct. 19 9pm 
   •   All Ages
Learn all about Bozeman’s founders and those who are spending their eternal rest in the Sunset Hills Cemetery at the tour put on by the Bozeman Paranormal Society. Sunset Hills Cemetery is educational on a regular day, but during a Halloween tour? It’s sure to be shocking.

Kenyon Noble's 21st Annual Junior Carpenter Pumpkin Carving Contest
Belgrade, Bozeman, and Livingston Kenyon Noble locations
•     Sat. Oct. 19 11am-1pm
•     Cost: FREE
•     All Ages
Bring your family & friends to spend a fun-filled afternoon carving pumpkins with us. Pick a free pumpkin of your choice, carve your little hearts out and try to win some super cool prizes! Located at Belgrade, Bozeman, and Livingston Kenyon Noble locations.

Anderson School Haunted House "Forest of Terror"  
At the Little Red School House, south of Huffine Lane on Cottonwood Road
   •    Friday, October 25th & Saturday, October 26th, 2019
    •    10030 Cottonwood Rd, Bozeman
    •    Lights ON: 5:30pm - 6:30pm for $5
    •    Lights OFF: 7pm - 10pm
    •    Fast Pass: $15, Skip The Line: $30
For over 20 years the 8th grade class at Anderson school has been scaring the residents of Bozeman with their sensational haunted house. Each year is grander, scarier and more exciting than the year before. Don't miss this years event!!!

Pumpkins in the Pool
Bozeman Swim Center
•  Friday, October 25th 2019 6:15pm-8:30pm
•  Daily Admission fee of $4.00 for adults, $3.00 for youth and seniors, or $10 for a family.
No tricks, just treats! Bring a friend and come on down to the Bozeman Swim Center for some spooky fun! We will have pumpkins in the pool, Halloween music playing, and treats to take home after your swim. *while supplies last. The inflatable toy will also be in the water! Don’t miss out on this fun event!

Run for your Life 5k & Kids Run  
Bobcat Stadium 1 Bobcat Circle, Bozeman
     •     Sat. Oct. 26 9am
     •     Cost: $25 adults, $15 youth, $10 kids
    •     Age: All Ages
A fun race to help a deep purpose!

3rd Annual Haunted Peaks Halloween Festival
Big Sky Town Center Ousel Falls Road, Big Sky
   •    Oct. 26 noon-8pm Sat.
   •    Cost: FREE
This all ages event is filled with traditional holiday activities, live music and great Fall fun.

Halloween Skate
Haynes Pavilion and the Ice Barn located at the Gallatin County Fairgrounds 901 North Black Avenue, Bozeman
   •   Sat. Oct. 26 noon-2pm
   •   Cost: Ages 13 and older: $5 Ages 6-12: $3 Ages 5 and under: FREE
One day a year just isn't enough to show off your prized Halloween costume. Bring the whole family to this public skating event to enjoy ghostly tunes in a fun/safe environment.

Boo Bash at YMCA
Gallatin Valley YMCA 3673 Love Lane, Bozeman
    •   Sat. Oct. 26  1pm
    •   Cost: Free
    •   Age: All Ages
At this Halloween party and community event do the monster mash in costume with activities like arts and crafts, bounce houses, family-friendly tunes and sweet treats.

Family Grossology Halloween Party
Museum of the Rockies 600 West Kagy Boulevard, Bozeman
   •   Sat. Oct. 26 2-5pm
   •   Cost: Included with admission
   •   Age: All Ages
Come in costume to see disgusting science, make some icky crafts, and check out what your scabs look like on the big screen. Spooky stories and goody bags.

QUARANTINE at Story Mill
Story Mill 888 Hillside LN, Bozeman
   •  Sat. Oct. 26  4pm-11pm
   •   Cost: $25-$30
   •   Age: 18+
Moonlight Productions presents QUARANTINE at Story Mill - Bozeman's largest EDM Halloween party! 18 DJ's / 2 Stages / Food Vendors / Art Installations / Full Bar with ID

Haunted Mountain Theater
Museum of the Rockies 600 West Kagy Boulevard, Bozeman
   •   Sat. Oct. 26  6-7pm
   •   Cost: $9-$13
   •   Age: Age 10+
We will bring the Northern Rocky Mountains’ spookier history & folklore to life through an approximately 50-minute production that blends live-theater with the Taylor Planetarium.

Ballroom Dance Bozeman presents Ghouls’ Night Out
Bozeman Senior Center  807 N. Tracy Ave
     •   Sat. Oct. 26   7-10pm
     •   Cost: General Public $15; Ballroom Dance Bozeman members free
     •   All Ages
Music by John Fox Sound. Singles and Couples welcome. Suggested attire is a costume or dressy casual; remember clean dance shoes. Bring a favorite snack to share, if you wish.

9th annual Mollyween
The Molly Brown 703 W. Babcock, Bozeman
   •  Sat. Oct. 26  9pm-1am  
   •   Cost: no cover
   •   Age: 21+
This is a free show with The Hawthorne Roots and Left On Tenth & a kick-ass costume contest.

Bozeman Health Trick or Treat
Bozeman Health 915 Highland Boulevard, Bozeman
   •   Thu. Oct. 31  3-5pm
   •   Cost: FREE
   •   Age: all ages
Stay warm this Halloween in our all-ages haunted hallway! Candy & non-food treats. Park in Lot C.

Trick or Treating in Town Center
Big Sky Town Center Ousel Falls Road, Big Sky
   •   Thu. Oct. 31  3-5pm
   •   Cost: FREE
Grab your kiddos and head to the Town Center for an afternoon of trick or treating at our local Big Sky businesses.

Downtown Bozeman Trick or Treating 2019
    •    Thursday, October 31, 2019
    •    4 PM – 6PM
    •    East Main St, Bozeman, Montana
Over 150 businesses welcome kids and families with candy and Halloween decorations

Trick-or-Treating at the Gallatin Valley Mall  
Gallatin Valley Mall 2825 West Main St., Bozeman
   •  Thursday, October 31, 2019
   •   5-7pm
   •   Age: All Ages
Trick-or-Treating is great in Montana when you can do it inside, which is why so many families head over to the mall for an evening of fun. This community event brings together all the fun of Halloween under one roof.

Harvest Carnival
Gallatin County Fairgrounds Indoor Arena 901 N. Black Ave, Bozeman
   •   Thu. Oct. 31  6-8pm
   •   Cost: FREE
   •   Age: 3-14
Come one, come all to the Gallatin County Fairgrounds this Halloween for a family friendly night benefiting Haven Shelter! This fun event is free for the whole family.

Rocky Horror Picture Show + Dinner
   •   Thu. Oct. 31  6 & 8:30pm
   •   Cost: $60 for show and 3 course dinner
It's that time of year! Tickets now available for purchase online at plonkwine.com. Trick or treat! Dine, drink... take a strange journey... Halloween night! Thurs, OCT 31st. A Verge Theater production, the Rocky Horror Picture Show!!!

The Bacchus Halloween Bash
•   Thu. Oct. 31 8 pm-close
•  No cover. 21+
Come get spooky for Halloween at The Bacchus! Hosting costume contests with prizes awarded all night and serving some festive $3 beer, $4 shot and $5 cocktail specials. Dance the night away with special guest DJ Missy O'Malley from 9pm to close!

Dead Sky HalloWEEN: A Tribute to Ween
The Filling Station 2005 N. Rouse Ave, Bozeman
   •   Thu. Oct. 31  9pm
   •   Cost: Advance: $9, Door: $12
   •   Age: 21+
Dead Sky will be getting weird with a HalloWEEN tribute show.

We continue to add to this list as more events are announced.

Disney Store “Shop-in-Shop” Launches Online and in 25 Target Stores Nationwide Today
 
WHAT: The launch of Disney store at Target in 25 select Target locations nationwide to help bring the magic of Disney to the joy of shopping at Target.
 
Guests can now shop from an enhanced Disney assortment of more than 450 items, including more than 100 products that were previously only available at Disney retail locations. Just in time for the Triple #ForceFriday and Frozen Fan Fest celebrations, the “shop-in-shop” features newly unveiled Disney merchandise from Frozen 2 and Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker. Target will offer more than 100 exclusive products from these highly anticipated theatrical releases, due in theaters later this year.

To celebrate the grand openings, the first 250 guests that visit the 25 store locations will receive a Disney store at Target limited-edition canvas tote bag.* In addition, guests are invited to share their favorite Star Wars and Frozen memories on their social channels using the hashtags #ShareTheForce and #ThePowerWithin and tagging @Target.

“We’ve brought the magic of Disney to Target, bringing together great merchandise amidst an experience that’s truly immersive and unique,” said Mark Tritton, executive vice president and chief merchandising officer, Target. “Guests will be able connect with the Disney characters and stories they love in a meaningful way, while accessing the latest and greatest Disney products, including items previously only available at Disney retail locations.”

Disney store at Target is replicated online at Target.com/Disneystore and in the Target app, available for download on iOS and Android. The new online experience serves as a hub for the Disney stories and characters guests love, all in one place. The majority of products available at Disney store at Target retail locations are also available online.

Items range in price from $2 - $200, with many items under $20.
 
WHEN: Starting Friday, Oct. 4, 2019 at 7 a.m. MDT
 
WHERE: Disney store at Target is now open in the following 25 Target stores:
    •    Allen North #2516 (Allen, Texas)
    ◦    150 E Stacy Rd, Ste 2400
    •    Austin NW #1797 (Austin, Texas)
    ◦    10900 Lakeline Mall Dr
    •    Bozeman #1237 (Bozeman, Mont.)
    ◦    2550 Catron St
    •    Brighton #922 (Brighton, Mich.)
    ◦    8043 Challis Rd
    •    Chicago Brickyard #1924 (Chicago, Ill.)
    ◦    6525 W Diversey Ave
    •    Clearwater #1820 (Clearwater, Fla.)
    ◦    2747 Gulf To Bay Blvd
    •    Denver Stapleton #2052 (Denver, Colo.)
    ◦    7930 Northfield Blvd
    •    Edmond #1398 (Edmond, Okla.)
    ◦    1200 E 2nd St
    •    Euless #1368 (Euless, Texas)
    ◦    1401 W Glade Rd
    •    Houston North Central #1458 (Spring, Texas)
    ◦    19511 I H 45
    •    Jacksonville Mandarin #1300 (Jacksonville, Fla.)
    ◦    10490 San Jose Blvd
    •    Keizer #2110 (Keizer, Ore.)
    ◦    6450 Keizer Station Blvd NE
    •    Lake Stevens #1331 (Lake Stevens, Wash.)
    ◦    9601 Market Pl
    •    Leesburg #1874 (Leesburg, Va.)
    ◦    1200 Edwards Ferry Rd
    •    Loveland #1178 (Loveland, Colo.)
    ◦    1725 Rocky Mountain Ave
    •    Maple Grove North #2193 (Maple Grove, Minn.)
    ◦    15300 Grove Circle N
    •    Mobile West #1376 (Mobile, Ala.)
    ◦    790 Schillinger Rd S
    •    Murrieta #1283 (Murrieta, Calif.)
    ◦    41040 California Oaks Rd
    •    New Lenox #2028 (New Lenox, Ill.)
    ◦    2370 E Lincoln Hwy
    •    Pasadena #1396 (Pasadena, Texas)
    ◦    5757 Fairmont Pkwy
    •    Philadelphia West #2124 (Philadelphia, Pa.)
    ◦    4000 Monument Rd
    •    San Jose College Park #2088 (San Jose, Calif.)
    ◦    533 Coleman Ave
    •    South Jordan #2123 (South Jordan, Utah)
    ◦    11525 Parkway Plaza Dr
    •    Stroudsburg #1260 (Stroudsburg, Pa.)
    ◦    155 Pocono Commons
    •    Waterford Park #2068 (Clarksville, Ind.)
    ◦    1125 Veterans Pkwy

This week, more than 200 Rocky Mountain business leaders from New Mexico, Colorado, and Montana released open letters to their congressional delegations calling on Congress to provide full funding for the Land and Water Conservation Fund. In the letters, the business owners urged legislators representing the Rocky Mountain West to lead their colleagues in the House and Senate in passing legislation that would stop Congress from diverting funding away from public lands.

LWCF functions as a bank account for public lands, using revenues the federal government receives from offshore oil and gas leasing to invest in resources like parks, playgrounds, and trails. The program was made permanent with passage of a public lands law known as the Dingell Act this March, but funding remains subject to the whims of Congress during the annual appropriations process. Almost every year, Congress uses some of the funds set aside for LWCF for other purposes. More than $22 billion has been diverted from LWCF over its 55-year lifespan.

“While permanent reauthorization of LWCF was an important step forward,” wrote the business owners, “the Dingell Act didn’t include any provision for a dedicated funding stream for LWCF – and a fund with no funding isn’t the victory our public lands deserve.”

The business leaders represent a wide swath of industries and rural and urban communities alike. Some run well-known companies like Golden, Colorado’s AC Golden Brewing (a subsidiary of MillerCoors), while others are restaurant owners, self-employed web designers, and medical professionals. Mary Johnston, Executive Director of the Anaconda Chamber of Commerce in western Montana, explained why LWCF funding is important to businesses that aren’t directly tied to the outdoor recreation economy.

“LWCF makes a big difference in local communities and improves our quality of life,” said Johnston. “Anaconda has used these funds to support projects including paving our Lower Works Trail to make it accessible to more people, building our skate park, and rebuilding the tennis courts.”
 
The business owners released the letters soon after the Senate Interior Appropriations Committee proposed to fund LWCF at just $465 million in 2020. That’s less than the House’s proposed number of $524 million, and barely more than half of the $900 million that the fund is supposed to receive each year.

In the letters, the business leaders call on their members of Congress to champion legislation guaranteeing funding for LWCF at the $900 million level, which would prevent Congress from continuing to divert funds away from the program. This legislation was introduced by a bipartisan group of Senators and Representatives earlier this year, including all six of the Senators representing these states, but has not yet been voted on. As members of the majority party in the Senate, Colorado Senator Cory Gardner and Montana Senator Steve Daines have a critical role to play in ensuring that the legislation does indeed make it past the Senate floor.

“When Congress created LWCF, they made a promise to the American people that money from oil and gas drilling would be used to protect public lands for all of us,” said Patrick Webber, co-founder of Denver-based Fourpoints Bar. “We need Congress to follow through on its commitment by prioritizing our public lands through the LWCF.”

You can read the full letters and see the lists of signatories online for New Mexico, Colorado, and Montana.
 
About the Continental Divide Trail
The CDT is one of the world’s premiere long-distance trails, stretching 3,100 miles from Mexico to Canada along the Continental Divide. Designated by Congress in 1978, the CDT is the highest, most challenging and most remote of the 11 National Scenic Trails. It provides recreational opportunities ranging from hiking to horseback riding to hunting for thousands of visitors each year. While 95% of the CDT is located on public land, approximately 180 miles are still in need of protection.

 
About the Continental Divide Trail Coalition
The CDTC was founded in 2012 by volunteers and recreationists hoping to provide a unified voice for the Trail. Working hand-in-hand with the U.S. Forest Service and other federal land management agencies, the CDTC is a non-profit organization supporting stewardship of the CDT. The mission of the CDTC is to complete, promote and protect the Continental Divide National Scenic Trail, a world-class national resource. For more information, please visit continentaldividetrail.org.

Recreationists now have an additional 160 acres to enjoy when visiting the Mt. Haggin Wildlife Management Area south of Anaconda. 

The new parcel lies along the north-central boundary of the WMA. Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks recently partnered with the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation to purchase the parcel from a landowner wishing to see the property go into public ownership. The purchase received support from local conservation groups, Deer Lodge County commissioners, and several local sportsmen and women. 

FWP closed on the sale on Sept. 19. The property is now open to the public. 

Mt. Haggin is Montana’s largest wildlife management area at 65,000 acres. The WMA spans the Continental Divide, providing quality wildlife habitat in both summer and winter ranges, as well as migration corridors. The WMA also provides excellent fishing opportunities. 

While the recent addition is relatively small compared to the rest of the property, it brings valuable wildlife habitat into public ownership. 

“This new parcel will provide additional year-round recreation for the public in an area with excellent wildlife and fish habitat,” said Vanna Boccadori, FWP’s Butte Area wildlife biologist.  

Motorized access to the new parcel will be closed from May 15 to Dec. 1. Cross-country snowmobile travel will be allowed outside of the closure, consistent with existing regulations on the adjacent portion of the WMA east of the Continental Divide.

Bozeman, MT – (Sept. 30, 2019) The Salvation Army Bozeman Thrift Store will host a “see you later” event at their store at 425 E. Babcock St., on their last day of operations, Monday, September 30 from 11am – 4pm.  

Everything in the store will be extremely discounted, and flash sales will add to the price reduction. Free hot dogs and water will be available for attendees. 

“We want to give our long-time customers the opportunity to say farewell one more time,” says Lt. Rick Larson, The Salvation Army Bozeman pastor and administrator. “We’re grateful for the support of the community and are excited to see what additional services in Bozeman we can provide.” 

After months of careful analysis, it was evident that The Salvation Army can no longer successfully sustain the Thrift Store. The suspension will not affect The Salvation Army’s other services, located at the Corps Community Center, which include rental and utility assistance, transportation assistance, grocery vouchers, hygiene supplies, laundry vouchers, veterans’ services and afterschool character building programs.  

The Salvation Army has served Gallatin County since 1897 and is committed to continue doing so for years to come. Transitioning the thrift store to a rental space will allow The Salvation Army to reevaluate and reinvest its resources in the community through other programs and services. The Salvation Army currently serves more than 180 people every week through its programs and expects that number to increase with a stronger focus on social services. 

The Salvation Army will soon lease the space, creating an opportunity to partner with another community organization that will positively benefit the Bozeman community. For more information about The Salvation Army in Bozeman, visit Bozeman.salvationarmy.org.

Ask any child about their favorite parts of school and you’re likely to come up with a few consistent answers: lunch, recess, P.E., and going home. All of these activities involve doing little or nothing that is related to education. You press some more and you might get an answer of “well, history isn’t that bad, I guess.”

What many children forget are the joys of field trips. While you technically have to go to school, you don’t have to go over any math homework or take any tests. Essentially, it’s a free day or at least a free half-day. But they do provide incredible educational value and benefit.

Now that you’re on the other side of the educational system, you might be in charge of helping plan the trip. You could be a volunteer parent, teacher, or someone in the administration.

If you’re looking for some quick tips on planning a field trip, check below for your short guide.

Research Places Early
When it comes to field trips, there are plenty of unique options out there for children. You could be looking at taking children to a local event or a destination. If you’re looking to take them to a destination, here are some quick ideas:

Police station
Firehouse
Museums
Radio Station
Farm
Nature park
Theater
Cinema
Factory

Many of these places have field trip packages and are used to guiding curious minds through their workplaces. Others might not have programs designed for field trips, but would be more than willing to help or think of a plan.

Some places might require you to fill out forms, requesting information such as dates, the size of the group, age, and more.

When looking for groups, remember to take care of all that early. You might be competing for time with other schools, small groups, homeschoolers or just interested parties.

The Red Tape
If you’re working at school, you’re going to have to get the trip signed off by an administrator. That could be the principal or vice principal. Hopefully, they knew you were planning a field trip and that part will go easy.

But, you’ll have to make sure and have permission forms printed and passed out so parents can sign off. With this process, it’s best to start early as well as students might forget to hand those slips to their parents. Of course, you might want to wait and hand those out to parents until you have the following sorted out...

The Logistics
Once you plan a field trip, you’re going to be responsible for communicating dates, times, drop-off, pick-up, clothes to wear and more to parents, teachers, and students alike.

Be sure and have this information printed off or emailed to everyone involved so you know that everyone has at least seen the information.

One of the most important steps in logistics is planning the transportation. You’ll need to know how many people are coming and what time everyone needs to be picked up. Be sure and speak with a company that has experience doing similar trips or excursions before. Don’t be afraid to call around and find the best rate as well.

In addition to transportation, you’re going to have to figure out the food side. Does the destination offer a food option? Will you be returning to school? Should kids bring their own lunch and you eat in a public place? Is there a restaurant or cafeteria that serves small groups?

Tie it Into the Curriculum
Your field trip may have already been planned with the curriculum in mind but if not, then you can use your field trip experience to the classroom.

Design an activity around the field trip or do something that encourages learning. Think of a homework assignment that kids could do upon returning home. Maybe they could make a presentation of their time there and what they did.

Field trips can be fantastic learning experiences or they can inspire a student to pursue a certain career or discipline. Do what you can to encourage learning. You never know, you might have a future museum curator or firefighter in your class!

A continuously growing student program in Montana State University’s College of Agriculture is seeking donations of steers, feed or financial support for the 2019-20 academic year.

The Steer-A-Year program allows students to learn about every element of cattle management through hands-on involvement. Students feed and raise the cattle through the winter and spring, collecting data about daily intakes, feed efficiency and weight gain, while also learning about beef marketing and cattle health. The steers are used in courses like Beef Production, Meat Science and Livestock Evaluation.

Donated steers are raised at the Bozeman Agriculture Research and Teaching Farm. Steer-A-Year program manager Hannah DelCurto-Wyffels said that to ensure success in their new setting, calves should be weaned, castrated and dehorned before they are donated and should weigh 500-800 pounds. The ideal pickup period for calves is Oct. 28 to Nov. 15.

Once they reach maturity and are ready for harvest, the steers are sold to MSU Culinary Services, where the meat is served in both the Miller and Rendezvous dining halls. The partnership is part of the focus on local food that earned MSU’s dining program a number of national awards earlier this year.

DelCurto-Wyffels, also an instructor in the Department of Animal and Range Sciences and the coordinator for MSU’s livestock judging team, said raising cattle is new for some students and the hands-on approach highlighted by Steer-A-Year is the primary reason students sign up for the program.

“The benefit is twofold for students,” DelCurto-Wyffels said. “One is the hands-on opportunity that it provides. They have the ability to work with the steers on a day-to-day basis, and some of them have never been around cattle. The second benefit is that financial aspect, which goes back to support students in the College of Ag.”

The money brought in by the steers primarily funds travel for student teams such as the livestock judging team, which competes in national events as far away as Texas. The funds also help facilitate trips to industry meetings such as the Montana Farm Bureau Convention and Montana Stockgrowers Association meetings, where students have a chance to network and communicate with professionals in the field.

The 2018-19 Steer-A-Year program produced a record 32 steers, all of which were purchased by Culinary Services in the spring. As they care for the steers, students create monthly reports for the producers who donated them, including growth and health information about the steers and a detailed report once the steers are harvested. Awards are given annually to the student who raises the best initial feeder steer, the steer with the top rate of gain and the steer that produces the best carcass.

“Steer-A-Year contributions are important in enhancing the educational experience for MSU students,” said DelCurto-Wyffels. “I am excited about the progress made and partnerships formed through this program, and we are planning for a very successful project this year.”

Those interested in donating or learning more about the Steer-A-Year program can contact DelCurto-Wyffels at 406-994-3752 or hannah.delcurto@montana.edu.