F r i d ay | Au g u s t 2 8 5 p m – 8 p m
BOZE M AN’S ‘QUE FOR A CAUSE DAY 1
E n j oy D e l i c iou s
B a r b e c ue w it h
P r o c e e d s t h at B e ne fit
t he G a l l at i n
Va l le y Y MCA
S atu rd ay | Au g u s t 2 9 1 2 p m – 4 p m
At t e nd F R E E
S t e p - by - S t e p C l a s s e s & P u rc h a s e S a mp le s fr o m P a r t i c ip at i n g C o mp e t it o r s BBQ P R O DAY DEMO & S AMPLES DAY 2
Few things have a greater impact on our lives than young people and animals. They enrich our days, bringing energy, affection, and perspective to the routines we often take for granted.
The children in our lives challenge us to grow alongside them. They encourage creativity, spark imagination, and remind us to appreciate life’s small wonders. Watching them discover the world is one of life’s greatest privileges, and their enthusiasm has a way of inspiring everyone around them.
Our pets leave a lasting mark as well. Whether they greet us at the door, comfort us during difficult times, or simply stay by our side, they become cherished members of the family. Their loyalty and devotion teach lessons that words alone cannot, while the friendships they form with children often create memories that endure for years.
This issue is a celebration of these small beings that bring us so much joy, by way of talking about education, health, fun treats, and a little bit of whimsy.
Here’s to the laughter, companionship, and love that makes our world a little brighter.
RACHEL
JACKSON, EDITOR, @BOZEMANCITYLIFESTYLE
August 2026
PUBLISHER
Maggie Hebron | maggie.hebron@citylifestyle.com
EDITOR
Rachel Jackson | rachel.jackson@citylifestyle.com
SALES DIRECTOR
Mila Azcona | mila.azcona@citylifestyle.com
CONTRIBUTING WRITERS
Olivia Firth, Alicia Harvey
CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHER
Sara Blancher
CEO Steven Schowengerdt
President Matthew Perry
COO David Stetler
CRO Jamie Pentz
CoS Janeane Thompson
AD DESIGNER Evan Deuvall
LAYOUT DESIGNER Kelsey Ragain
QUALITY CONTROL SPECIALIST Anna Minnick
Learn how to start your own publication at citylifestyle.com/franchise.
Is your kiddo a creator? Are they young business moguls in the making? Are they looking for a safe and fun space to sell their wares?
Hullabaloo Bozeman is excited to announce the Hullabaloo T.O.Y.S (Training Outstanding Young Shopkeepers) program! This summer, sign your kiddo (ages 5-17) up for a time slot to come into our store, set up and decorate a booth, and sell their creations to the Bozeman community.
Learn more at hullabalootoysbozeman.com/service/upcoming-events
Scan to read more
At Heartleaf Health, healing is not just about addressing symptoms - it's about treating the whole person. Whether you’re navigating chronic pain, stress, fatigue, digestive concerns, hormonal imbalance, or just looking for greater balance in your life, Heartleaf Health works with you to create a treatment plan that supports your unique path to health. Health looks different for everyone, and Heartleaf's goal is to support you on your individual journey, whatever that may look like for you.
Learn more at heartleafhealthbozeman.com .
Scan to read more
Since 1977, Sweet Pea Festival has brought Bozeman together through music, dance, visual arts, and community celebration. Since 1986, all proceeds beyond festival costs are reinvested into the Bozeman community—supporting arts, education, and cultural programming. Today, Sweet Pea is a beloved Bozeman tradition—still celebrating art, still volunteer-run, and still giving back.
Learn more and buy your tickets at sweetpeafestival.org.
Make the most of summer with hands-on exhibits, outdoor exploration, and unforgettable experiences for all ages
ARTICLE BY ALICIA HARVEY
As summer winds down, the excitement is just heating up at Bozeman’s Museum of the Rockies. August is packed with hands-on discovery, outdoor exploration, history, and science, making it the perfect destination for families looking to make the most of the final weeks before school begins.
The season’s must-see attraction is Frogs: A Chorus of Colors, a vibrant traveling exhibition that introduces visitors to the dazzling world of amphibians. From brilliantly colored tree frogs to expertly camouflaged species, guests can get up close to 100 live frogs in beautifully recreated habitats and test their listening skills at interactive stations featuring frog calls from around the world.
Families can also step back in time at the Living History Farm, where children can explore an authentic 1890s Montana homestead. Young visitors can wander through historic buildings, discover heirloom gardens, and learn how Montana families lived, worked, and played more than a century ago through engaging demonstrations and hands-on experiences.
For those age 6+ looking to explore beyond Earth, the Taylor Planetarium offers immersive journeys through space beneath its 40-foot dome. Popular shows such as Unseen Earth , Cosmic Colors, and Montana
Skies inspire curiosity about our planet and the universe beyond.
August programming offers even more opportunities for discovery. Meet remarkable birds of prey during the Raptor Meet & Greet on August 12, witness a lunar eclipse during Observe the Moon: Lunar Eclipse Edition on August 27, and celebrate the Early Learning Fall Kick-Off on August 28 with outdoor sensory activities and play designed for children ages 0-6.
Older youth and adults looking to develop a new skill can participate in the Embroidery Workshop on Saturday, August 8. This beginner-friendly class offers a creative introduction to a timeless craft.
Whether you’re marveling at colorful frogs, exploring a historic farm, gazing at the stars, or meeting Montana wildlife, Museum of the Rockies offers unforgettable experiences for visitors of all ages.
Learn more about events and programming at museumoftherockies.org .
With a career coaching freeride skiing in Big Sky, Cooper Raasch has always loved helping people hone their skills. When he started Ruff Riders, he saw an opportunity to use his talents to teach dogs how to use and eventually master slatmill techniques, helping them gain confidence and strength along the way. We sat down with Cooper to learn a little more about his business, and how it has been working with dogs across the Gallatin Valley.
WHAT INSPIRED YOU TO START RUFF RIDERS?
My inspiration to start ruff riders is my shelter dog, Amyas. He’s always had trouble around other dogs, and I thought slatmills would be a great way for him to get fulfillment from exercise. He was the first dog I taught to use a slatmill. Our branding is an homage to my father Brian, who was a history teacher and loved Teddy Roosevelt. Our logo is my dog Amyas wearing the hat Teddy Roosevelt had on in his famous rough riders photo.
CAN YOU DESCRIBE A SLATMILL AND WHAT KIND OF SPECIALIZED EXERCISE IT PROVIDES?
Slatmills are interesting, they’ve been around a lot longer than people think. The first known American slatmills trace back to the 1800s. They were used on farms to churn butter and mill grain, powered by farm dogs. In 1920, the first slatmills for canine fitness started to appear; I believe they were used to gain better fitness in racing dogs. Our slatmills are decidedly more advanced in that we can adjust the incline and resistance to meet a dog’s specific exercise needs. We use them to strengthen sport and pet dogs to increase quality of life and extend a dog’s life. We also help dogs coming off injuries or surgery. They can be used to give a reactive dog like my Amyas their genetic fulfillment of exercise without exposing them to dangerous situations and environments. We teach some dogs competitive skills like backing up straight and stopping and starting to increase agility, start line, power and drive.
DO YOU HAVE ANY FUN SUCCESS STORIES TO SHARE?
We have lots of success stories! I think the most profound are the huge bumps in confidence shy dogs get when they learn they can run as fast as they want with no distractions. We run a very sweet medical alert service dog every week and it’s beautiful to see him blow off steam from a long week in a way that he loves. You can learn more about Cooper and Ruff Riders at ruffridersmobiledoggym.com
Ruff Riders is transforming the way dogs exercise, rehabilitate, and connect with their natural drive to run
ARTICLE BY OLIVIA FIRTH, PROGRAM MANAGER AND MATH SPECIALIST
K-12 parents are all too familiar with the overwhelm and anticipation that comes with the transition into a new school year. Bozeman families make an especially difficult transition - leaving a beautiful summer spent camping, hiking, and recreating for the classroom.
As educators and academic mentors, we’ve had the opportunity to observe the strategies that separate students who are able to navigate the ups and downs of a new school year smoothly. The following are our recommendations for setting your student up for success.
TIPS FOR A SMOOTH TRANSITION:
• Start adjusting your daily schedule a few weeks before the school year starts to prevent sleep loss in the first few weeks of school.
• Eliminate as many unknowns as possible by taking the opportunity to meet teachers, tour the school, and creating an organizational plan for the school year.
• Plan opportunities for students to spend time with classmates before school starts. Students often start the school year with a lot of social anxiety, giving them the opportunity to see friends before day 1 helps them feel more confident!
WISE WORDS FROM OUR FRIENDS AT LITTLE BEAR COUNSELING:
“Back-to-school anxiety is often a sign that a child is facing something important and unfamiliar. As parents, it’s tempting to ask a lot of questions or highlight all the exciting parts of the new year — and if we’re being honest, sometimes we’re a little more excited about school starting than our kids are. But when a child is overwhelmed, they usually need to feel understood before they
can hear anything else. Rather than trying to uncover the reason or convince them to feel differently, start with simple acknowledgment: ‘This feels like a lot right now.’ Feeling understood helps children build confidence in their ability to navigate hard emotions and new experiences.” -
Rachael Maher, MS,
LCPC, LMFT
ESTABLISH AN EFFECTIVE SCHOOLWEEK ROUTINE:
• Unfortunately, grades matter from day one, and getting behind is easy to do in the chaos of the first few weeks of school. Get into a rhythm of checking in on assignments daily to set expectations for the rest of the school year.
• Set goals around effort and completion rather than perfection. Modelling the importance of effort and timely completion enforces a student’s agency and prevents the overwhelm and avoidance caused by expected perfection.
• Frame the importance of organization around freedom rather than punishment. Having systems, writing things down, and planning are often seen as busy work by students - showing them that being organized can save them time and energy to spend on all the things they love doing can be a game changer.
• Students should be checking both Canvas and Powerschool daily to confirm assignments and to dos - encourage this habit from day 1!
HELP YOUR STUDENT BUILD EXECUTIVE FUNCTIONING SKILLS:
Students have more information available to them and are more tech savvy than ever, but that is only so valuable if they don’t have the skills to execute their ideas
AS ACADEMIC MENTORS, WE EMPHASIZE THE IMPORTANCE OF TAKING A HOLISTIC APPROACH TO THE LEARNING EXPERIENCE.
and goals. Executive functioning is put to the test at the beginning of every school year as students enter a new classroom with new expectations. Although school used to be the best place for students to develop these skills, there is an increasing need for students to practice these skills outside of school.
Harvard researchers explored what exactly students need from their mentor relationships in order to build critical executive functioning skills. The following characteristics were found to be most critical:
• Support for student efforts.
• To have the skills modeled by parents and educators.
• The opportunity to engage in activities that require extensive practice. It is very important for students to experience the discomfort of gaining complex skills in a safe environment.
• A consistent, reliable presence that students can trust, such as a parent, tutor, or teacher.
• Guidance toward gradual independence.
• Protection from chaos, overstimulation, and chronic stressors. Proper executive functioning can only be developed and utilized when someone has a calm nervous system.
Students are rarely taught how to study effectively and often fall into what experts call a “familiarity trap”, which means that when reviewing their notes, they recognize the information and assume that means they have retained it and are ready to be tested on it. However, when the test comes, it turns out they cannot generate or recall the information they need. Here are a few strategies to make study-time count:
• Recall: Testing oneself is critical for retention and should be practiced in a low stakes environment like study time. Our brain’s logic centers shut down in high stress environments - creating the testing scenario at home can help students feel calm when test day comes.
• Spaced repetition: Research shows that cramming does not help with a student’s long term retention. Experts recommend rotating through subjects about every 40 minutes with breaks in between.
• Teaching: There are many levels to understanding a topic, one of those levels is being able to explain a topic clearly to someone else. Students gain retention by practicing how to explain a topic to a friend or family member.
• Embrace frustration: The goal is to find ways to study that are active, rather passive. Active studying can be frustrating because it requires trial, error, and repetition, which is exactly what students need to retain information.
As academic mentors, we emphasize the importance of taking a holistic approach to the learning experience. That means considering a student’s mental health, circumstances, and goals. We also believe that learning and being a successful student are skills that can be learned. It is always our goal to build up a student’s confidence and to take pressure off of the family dynamic. We hope that the above advice can be helpful for Bozeman families as the new school year approaches!
Try these simple and healthy homemade treats for your furry friends. Not only are they easy to make, they are nutritious and seemingly delicious.
ARTICLE BY ANGELA BROOCKERD | PHOTOGRAPHY BY JANIE JONES
Ingredients:
• 2/3 cup pumpkin puree
• 1/4 to 1/3 cup peanut butter
• 2 eggs
• 2 1/2 cups flour (whole wheat preferred)
Directions:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees and line baking sheet with parchment paper. In a bowl, mix all ingredients except flour and blend well. Gradually add the flour until the dough isn’t sticky. Roll dough into a ball. Lightly flour your surface and lightly knead. Use a rolling pin to roll dough to ¼-inch thickness. Use cookie cutters and place dough on baking sheet. Bake for 20-25 minutes. Drizzle with peanut butter (optional).
Ingredients:
• 1 cup pumpkin puree
• 1/4 to 1/3 cup peanut butter
• 1/4 cup milk or half and half
• 3 cups oatmeal
Directions:
In a bowl, mix pumpkin puree, peanut butter and milk on medium for 1 minute. Gradually add 2 1/2 cups oatmeal and stir. Use a small scoop or spoon to create 1/4 inch balls. Roll balls into remaining 1/2 cup oats to lightly top. Place into a closed container and refrigerate.
Ingredients:
• 1 egg
• 4 tablespoons peanut butter
• 1/2 cup apple, finely chopped
• 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
Directions:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease a ramekin and set aside. Combine all ingredients and mix well. Pour batter into ramekin and sprinkle a few apple slices on top. Bake for 20 minutes.
Creating a Kid-Friendly Backyard Space
ARTICLE BY ANGELA BROOCKERD | PHOTOGRAPHY BY JANIE JONES
This adorable outdoor play space is not only easy and inexpensive to build, but it is full of charm and the perfect spot for the kids to play and lounge. The A-frame structure is easily customizable to any style and color scheme desired. Leave the wood bare, or add flare with paint or stain. An outdoor clubhouse provides a space that allows kids
to make it their own and to let their imaginations run wild spending time outdoors.
For this project, we visited our local hardware store to get all the necessary supplies we needed. The deck is an 8 x 10 decking so there is no need to cut down the length of any boards and pressure treated wood was used. First, dig holes
CONTINUED >
18 inches down to put the footers, which is a 4 x 4 x 8 treated post, and cut those into two foot lengths. Next, pour quick set concrete in the holes. Add water, and set the posts in and let it dry. We used lag screws to attach the base 2 x 10’s to the corner posts, and then 2 x 6’s for the joists with metal hangers. Now time to put on the decking boards with exterior screws. Don’t forget to constantly check with a level. Once the decking is finished, now it is time for the fun!
For the A frame you need a 60-degree angle at the top of the A, and a 30-degree angle at the bottom. You can run a 4 x 4 along the decking to attach the A frame to which adds a bit of height so adults can stand in it as well. Use heavy duty exterior screws to attach the A frame 2 x 4’s to the structure. The top of the A comes together and is held by exterior screws. For the roofing, we used 8-foot corrugated clear panels and screwed those into the A frame for a weather protecting cover. We left three feet uncovered so a chair and some pots with herbs and flowers could be added to the entrance. Decorate with outdoor pillows, a children’s table, outdoor rug and hanging flower pots to make it feel like a special place for kids to go. If entertaining friends, a few simple charcuterie boards are always a hit.
Trey Kennedy makes a living finding comedy in regular life. Marriage. Toddlers. Yoga pants. The Thursday-night scramble between school dropoffs, soccer practice, and whatever has to be done by morning. Twelve years in, it shows: millions of followers across every platform, three stand-up specials, a sold-out Relatable Tour, and a style of humor fans send each other captioned, “Are you watching me?” He delivers the kind of comedy that travels because everyone’s living some version of it.
Katie, his wife of six years, is a former biomedical engineer who also built a modeling career. She’s now raising their kids and co-hosting Correct Opinions alongside Trey — the show where the two of them swap takes on marriage, parenting, and whatever came up that week.
Trey has been at this longer than people realize. An Edmond, Oklahoma kid who grew up playing basketball described himself as a “shy kid who never thought he’d be an entertainer.” He started making videos while attending Oklahoma State University. After building millions of followers on Vine before the platform shut down, he gave himself six months on Instagram and Facebook to see whether he could rebuild from zero. He did. Stand-up soon followed. His first special, Are You For Real?, streams on YouTube; the second, Grow Up, on Amazon Prime; the third, built around the Relatable Tour, wrapped earlier this year. “I’ve been trying to be funny every week for like twelve years now,” he says. A slow climb, made one bit at a time.
ARTICLE BY KALI KASPRZYK
JANIE
“I’ve been trying to be funny every week for like twelve years now.”
Most of what Trey writes lately starts in his own kitchen. Thomas is three and a half, and he is, in his father’s words, “a movie.” He narrates his own life from the moment his eyes open and mispronounces words in ways his parents now repeat to each other because no one else would believe them. His younger sister, Eva, is what Katie calls “the calm one.” With a third now in the mix, the Kennedys are officially outnumbered.
After six years of marriage, Trey and Katie have learned that the partnership runs best when it gets its own time on the calendar. So once a week, they leave the kids with a sitter and go out for coffee. “You need a system,” Katie says. “It’s about taking time to look each other in the eye. Not the kids. Not the cameras. Just each other.”
The same instinct shapes the work. Most of Trey’s trial and error happens onstage or on Instagram, but the first read is always Katie’s. “There’s only been one time ever I’ve had to be like, ‘you’re not doing that,’” she says. The rest of the time, she just laughs first.
FEATURING TREY & KATIE KENNEDY
Trey and Katie talk about marriage, parenting, and the moments that don’t make the Instagram feed.
Watch or listen to the full conversation wherever you get your podcasts.
into a vibrant, multisensory world of LIVE FROGS from around the globe!
Discover singing, camouflaged, and wildly colorful frogs in habitats filled with live plants and rainforest vibes. Play with hands-on interactives, trigger real frog calls, and get nose-to-nose with nature’s most surprising superstars.
Explore every side of these amazing amphibianstheir biology, natural history, role in human cultures, importance to ecosystems, and the threats they face in a changing world.
This immersive adventure is fun, fascinating, and ribbit-ing for all ages! Scan the QR code to learn more.
Clyde Peeling’s Reptiland in Allenwood, Pennsylvania, an institution accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums, created, tours, and provides a professional keeper for the exhibition.
AUGUST 6TH, 7TH, AND 8TH
Bozeman Stampede
Gallatin County Fairgrounds 901 N Black Ave, Bozeman, MT 59715 | 6:00 PM
The Bozeman Stampede is a non-profit local PRCA rodeo in Bozeman, MT. This three day event contains all your favorite rodeo action and benefits local youth Ag organization. Learn more and buy tickets at bozemanstampede.com.
AUGUST 6TH-9TH
Western Design Conference Exhibit + Sale
Brick Breeden Fieldhouse, 1 Bobcat Circle Bozeman, MT 59717 | 10:00 AM
Each year the Western Design Conference Exhibit + Sale brings together the finest artisans, designers, collectors, and tastemakers to celebrate the bold, the beautiful, and the authentically Western. This is more than an event—it’s a curated experience of innovation rooted in tradition. Shop furniture, fashion, jewelry, home and lifestyle creations at every price point. Learn more and buy tickets at westerndesignconference.com
AUGUST 14TH
DiscoSunset
Epic Skies, 12600 Camp Creek Road, Manhattan, MT 59741 | 7:00 PM
DiscoSunset is Bozeman's dance event of the summer. Outdoor amphitheater. Bonfires. Community cookout. Big sound, big views, and good people. As the sun drops behind the mountains, DJDK will take us on a high-energy ride through House, Nu-Disco, Bass, and iconic dancefloor favorites. This is a sober-friendly and community-centered event. Advance tickets required: sweatpals.com/event/discosunset
Bring your dog along on your next visit to Gallatin River Lodge and let them explore everywhere you go in and around Bozeman, Montana.
AUGUST 15TH-16TH
Adventure Van Expo
Gallatin County Fairgrounds 901 N Black Ave, Bozeman, MT 59715 | 10:00 AM
Open house vans, DIY contest, Live Music, Food trucks, Camping. Come check out the custom builds check out some #vanlife stuff, see old friends and meet new ones. BUT ITS NOT JUST VANS! We will have 4×4 trucks with roof top tents, campers, and tent trailer systems as well. Vendors will be selling related items. Tickets available at adventurevanexpo.com/bozeman
AUGUST 21ST
MSU Community Catwalk
Downtown Bozeman | 11:00 AM
MSU President Brock Tessman, Champ, the MSU Spirit of the West Marching Band, students, student-athletes, and community members will make their way down Main Street to create “Bobcat Buzz” throughout the community. The group will visit businesses along the way, play the fight song and pass out Bobcat gear, treats for kids, and game schedules. Free and open to the public!
AUGUST 28TH
Hawks & Hops
161 Bent Wing Rd, Bozeman, MT 59715 | 6:00 PM
Held in MRCC’s outdoor amphitheater, this evening series pairs inspiring live presentations and ambassador raptors with a curated selection of MAP brews, bringing together conservation, community, and craft beer. Learn more and buy tickets at montanaraptor.org/ events/hawksandhops
Applicant subject to credit and underwriting approval. Restrictions apply. Sara Koelzer NMLS #400361. Guaranteed Rate, Inc. D/B/A Rate; NMLS # 2611. For licensing information visit nmlsconsumeraccess.org.
