From 4th of July parades to handing out cake at the Sweet Pea Festival, Bozeman summers have always brought people together. Over the decades, Owenhouse Ace has been part of those memories – supporting local events, gathering neighbors, and showing up for the community. Let’s take a look back at some memorable events that people still talk about today.
4th Of July 1977!
Long before Music on Main and Cat Walks became downtown traditions, Bozeman’s 4th of July parades were already a big deal. And in 1977, Owenhouse Ace rolled right through the heart of it with our fully restored 1931 International Model B2 delivery truck – a real piece of Bozeman history. That beauty originally belonged to George Baxter (yep, the same Baxter behind the Baxter Hotel and Baxter Lane), and we gave it a second life around 1990!
FUN FACT:
Now, years later, Eric is restoring a 1973 International Harvester Scout that our store originally sold.
In one of these photos, you can spot a little guy in a red shirt – that’s Christopher Bowman (about 3 years old at the time), Eric Bowman’s older brother. Eric wasn’t even born yet – he showed up the next year. Talk about keeping it in the family!
Downtown looked a little different back then, too. Parking meters lined the streets, and you could walk past old competitors like Gambel’s Hardware and Coast to Coast just steps from our storefront! Bozeman was smaller, scrappier, and parades felt like a true whole-town gathering.
And yes – we actually let our employees carve chainsaw art… in the middle of traffic. We’re still not exactly sure when that tradition stopped, but we’ve got the photos to prove it! 😉
August 2-5, 1979: Sweet Pea Festival
What do you get when you mix a truck, a giant cake, and a good old-fashioned Bozeman celebration? The Sweet Pea Festival – yep, the same one we all still look forward to every summer.
In 1979, Owenhouse built and hauled a massive cake float (designed to feed 1,500 people!) – right down Main Street. After the parade, we served the entire thing in Lindley Park. (pre-food-safety-regulation days, obviously.) It might not pass inspection today, but back then, it was pure joy, and all of Bozeman loved it!
In this photo just above, you’ll spot longtime employee, Joyce Roadarmel, reaching across the table and Louis Spain, one of Owenhouse’s former owners, handling housewares like no one. Eric Bowman recalls Joyce as a pillar of the Owenhouse team – the kind that made folks feel right at home the minute they walked through the door.
Seeing this really makes us wish we could go back in time sometimes!
STIHL DEMO Day July 1982
Chainsaws, community, and maybe a little chaos. That was STIHL Demo Day in 1982!
We held this one right out front of the store, and folks showed up ready to see what Owenhouse Ace had cooking. There were STIHL chainsaw carving demos, TORO lawn mower test runs, and plenty of good food hot off the grill. Part product demo, part block party – 100% Owenhouse.
You may even recognize some familiar faces: Lou Spain (son of Louis Spain) and Phil Adams, both longtime partners and a big part of the Owenhouse story.
And really, STIHL demo day wasn’t just about the tools – it was about bringing people together. It was about connection. Neighbors caught up and even danced a little, and there was that classic Bozeman feel in the air.
We like to think that same spirit still shows up at our summer events today!
Recognize some faces on these pictures?
Want to share a story with us? Send us your favorite memory here or tag us @owenhouseace on Instagram!
Wondering What to Do in Bozeman This Summer?
Downtown Bozeman 2025 Summer Calendar
Summer’s the best time to be in Bozeman, and Downtown’s got a full lineup of events this summer, again! And we’re not just talking warm weather, we’re talking community, music, art, classic cars, and a whole lot of local fun. Owenhouse Ace Downtown always loves being part of it, whether we’re contributing to the Sweet Pea Festival or catching a car show on Main. If you’re looking for something to do (or just an excuse to be downtown), here’s what’s coming up:
- Find Waldo Local – Owenhouse Ace Downtown is in!
Event info - Summer Crazy Days – Friday to Sunday, July 18–20
Details here - MSU Community Cat Walk – A fan favorite!
Learn more - Sweet Pea Festival – A Bozeman classic
About Sweet Pea
Summer Art Walks – Second Friday of each month, June–September
Business participation info - 25th Annual Music on Main – Thursday evenings, July 3 to August 7
More event info - 25th Annual Cruisin’ on Main Car Show – Sunday, August 17, 9 AM–2 PM
More event info and Registration
Bozeman Summers, Then and Now – Still the Best Way to Spend the Season
From mountain trails to Main Street tunes, a summer in Bozeman is everything at once: wild and peaceful, artsy and outdoorsy, full of small-town charm and big-time fun for the whole family. And through Owenhouse’s eyes, it’s always been a season worth celebrating, and one we’re proud to keep bringing people together for.
