Montana Gift Corral Blog

It's that time of year again!

Tour buses are streaming into town, chalk is out on the sidewalks of downtown and colorful posters are displayed on every bulletin board, shop display and telephone pole. The excitement brews in the summer air as Bozeman embarks on the 43rd annual Sweat Pea Festival this week!

On March 5, 2009, as many people left their homes in the morning for work, a natural gas line blew up and destroyed four downtown businesses and called for an emergency evacuation of two city blocks. Fires in the gas lines and rubble burned for over 24 hours after.

Our flagship store in Bozeman happened to be on that very block. When news reached us, we feared the worst. I remember walking up to Montana State University that day, headed to my first class of the morning, and being struck by the plume of smoke above the downtown area. Once I heard the news, I wondered and worried about our employees and our storefront on that day.

Montanans know how to spend their summers whether it’s taking a hike, casting a line, or floating the river. We want you to wring out the most of the last few weeks of warm weather, long days, and comfortable nights under the stars.  Enjoy the Labor Day weekend and celebrate summer with some fun ideas for your next backyard cookout.