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Habitat for Humanity's 99th Build, Blues Festival Winter Jam, 'Steel Magnolias' Performance, Farmers Market, Bulls Hockey, House Fire Safety, Olympic-Style Skating Ceremony, Spring Car Care Tips"

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Habitat for Humanity's 99th Build, Blues Festival Winter Jam, 'Steel Magnolias' Performance, Farmers Market, Bulls Hockey, House Fire Safety, Olympic-Style Skating Ceremony, Spring Car Care Tips"

Habitat for Humanity's 99th Build, Blues Festival Winter Jam, 'Steel Magnolias' Performance, Farmers Market, Bulls Hockey, House Fire Safety, Olympic-Style Skating Ceremony, Spring Car Care Tips"
Exciting happenings in Billings! Habitat for Humanity's 99th home build, Magic City Blues Festival Winter Jam, "Steel Magnolias" community theater performance, Yellowstone Valley Farmers Winter Market, Billings Bulls Hockey game, house fire resources, new restaurants, youth skaters' Olympic-style ceremony, spring car care tips - including washing away winter, checking/fluid changing, tire inspecting, battery testing, and wiper blade replacing!

Randy Diefel

Feb 17, 2026

Trivia Questionโ“

 What popular Netflix series features the fictional Hawkins, Indiana, and a creature called the Demogorgon?

Answer at the bottom of the newsletter

Itโ€™s hard to believe weโ€™re still in February, isnโ€™t it?

 

Billings has been soaking up some downright spring-like weather lately โ€” the kind that makes you crack the windows, shake out the rugs, and wonder if winter quietly slipped out the back door. Tulips have already been spotted poking their brave little heads through the soil, and rumor has it a few bumble bees have been buzzing around like theyโ€™ve checked the calendar and decided itโ€™s close enough. Driveways across town are turning into weekend car wash stations, kids are riding bikes without quite as many layers, and it feels like the whole community has stepped outside for a collective breath of fresh air.

 

Meanwhile, the world stage is buzzing too, with the Winter Olympics underway in Milan โ€” giving us the perfect excuse to cozy up in the evenings after these sunny afternoons and cheer on our favorite athletes.

 

Whether this warm spell sticks around or Montana decides to remind us whoโ€™s boss, one thingโ€™s for sure: itโ€™s been a beautiful stretch of days to be in the Magic City. So grab your sunglasses (and maybe keep that winter coat handyโ€ฆ just in case) and letโ€™s take a look at whatโ€™s happening around Billings this week.

This newsletter sponsored by

Randall Contracting

Call 406-855-7825 

Habitat for Humanity Mid-Yellowstone Valley continues its long legacy of building affordable homes in Billings, reaching its 99th house milestone in the Heights.

 

This milestone home will belong to Denise James, who is thrilled to move out of an apartment where steep stairs and an unfriendly atmosphere had challenged her daily life.

 

Supported by friends, family, and volunteers, James looks forward to a safer, single-level home, especially for visits from her grandchildren.


Read More...

๐ŸŽถ Magic City Blues Festival Winter Jam

  • ๐Ÿ“… Date: Saturday, February 17, 2026

  • ๐Ÿ•’ Time: 7:00 PM

  • ๐Ÿ“ Location: The Pub Station

  • ๐ŸŽŸ๏ธ Admission: Ticketed event

  • ๐Ÿ“„ Details: The winter edition of Billingsโ€™ favorite blues celebration brings regional and national blues artists to the stage for a high-energy evening of live music. A must-attend for local music lovers.

๐ŸŽญ Community Theater Performance – “Steel Magnolias”

  • ๐Ÿ“… Date: Sunday, February 18, 2026

  • ๐Ÿ•’ Time: 2:00 PM

  • ๐Ÿ“ Location: Billings Studio Theatre

  • ๐ŸŽŸ๏ธ Admission: Ticketed event

  • ๐Ÿ“„ Details: Enjoy an afternoon of heartfelt storytelling and Southern charm with this beloved stage production. Local performers bring humor and emotion to this classic play in an intimate setting.

๐Ÿ›๏ธ Yellowstone Valley Farmers Winter Market

  • ๐Ÿ“… Date: Sunday, February 18, 2026

  • ๐Ÿ•’ Time: 10:00 AM โ€“ 2:00 PM

  • ๐Ÿ“ Location: Yellowstone Valley Farmers Market (Indoor Winter Market Location)

  • ๐ŸŽŸ๏ธ Admission: Free

  • ๐Ÿ“„ Details: Browse locally grown produce, baked goods, handmade crafts, and specialty food items. This indoor winter market keeps the community connected with local vendors during the colder months.

๐Ÿ’ Billings Bulls Hockey Home Game

  • ๐Ÿ“… Date: Tuesday, February 20, 2026

  • ๐Ÿ•’ Time: 7:00 PM

  • ๐Ÿ“ Location: MetraPark Arena

  • ๐ŸŽŸ๏ธ Admission: Ticketed event

  • ๐Ÿ“„ Details: Cheer on the hometown team as the Billings Bulls take the ice for an exciting home matchup. Family-friendly fun with concessions and high-energy gameplay.

After a severe house fire on January 30, 2026, in the 1200 block of Caroline Street, Billings residents are urged to take fire safety seriously.

 

Although the homeowners escaped unharmed, the home and two vehicles suffered major damage, highlighting just how quickly disaster can strike.

 

The Billings Fire Department stresses the importance of working smoke alarms on every floor and in every sleeping area โ€” testing them each month and replacing batteries as needed can save lives.


Read More...

New & Newly Noteworthy Restaurants in Billings

La Morenita

๐Ÿ“„ A brand-new Mexican restaurant in downtown Billings that just opened in early February 2026. Locals are already enjoying the friendly service and complimentary chips & salsa with their meals. 15 N. 26th

 

Billingsโ€™ young skaters recently captured Olympic spirit at Centennial Ice Arena, transforming their local rink into a stage of excitement and international flair.

 

Members of the Rimrock Figure Skating Club and Learn to Skate families marched in a festive flag parade, set to the stirring Olympic anthem, inviting the community to celebrate National Skating Month with them.


Read More...

๐Ÿš— Spring Car Care Checklist

Spring is around the corner, and with this warm spell, itโ€™s the perfect time to give your vehicle a little post-winter TLC. A quick wash, tire check, or oil change now can keep you rolling smoothly into the new season. ๐Ÿš—๐ŸŒท

๐Ÿงฝ Wash Away Winter

๐Ÿงฝ Wash Away Winter

  • ๐Ÿ“… Date: Anytime during warm spell

  • ๐Ÿ•’ Time: Your schedule

  • ๐Ÿ“ Location: Driveway or local car wash

  • ๐ŸŽŸ๏ธ Admission: DIY or service pricing

  • ๐Ÿ“„ Details: Remove built-up salt, grime, and road residue from winter driving. Donโ€™t forget the undercarriage โ€” it helps prevent rust and long-term damage.

๐Ÿ›ข๏ธ Check & Change Fluids

  • ๐Ÿ“… Date: Early spring

  • ๐Ÿ•’ Time: 30โ€“60 minutes (depending on service)

  • ๐Ÿ“ Location: Local service center or at home

  • ๐ŸŽŸ๏ธ Admission: Service pricing varies

  • ๐Ÿ“„ Details: Check oil, coolant, brake fluid, and windshield washer fluid levels. Temperature swings can impact fluid performance โ€” especially after a Montana winter.

๐Ÿ›ž Inspect Tires

  • ๐Ÿ“… Date: As roads warm up

  • ๐Ÿ•’ Time: 15โ€“30 minutes

  • ๐Ÿ“ Location: Tire shop or driveway

  • ๐ŸŽŸ๏ธ Admission: Free pressure checks at many locations

  • ๐Ÿ“„ Details: Check tire pressure, look for uneven wear, and consider rotating tires. Pothole season in Billings can sneak up quickly.

๐Ÿ”‹ Test the Battery

  • ๐Ÿ“… Date: Late winter / Early spring

  • ๐Ÿ•’ Time: 5โ€“10 minutes

  • ๐Ÿ“ Location: Auto parts store

  • ๐ŸŽŸ๏ธ Admission: Often free testing

  • ๐Ÿ“„ Details: Cold snaps strain batteries. Even with this warm stretch, itโ€™s smart to test battery strength before spring road trips begin.

๐ŸŒฌ๏ธ Replace Wiper Blades

  • ๐Ÿ“… Date: Start of spring

  • ๐Ÿ•’ Time: 10 minutes

  • ๐Ÿ“ Location: DIY or service center

  • ๐ŸŽŸ๏ธ Admission: Low-cost replacement

  • ๐Ÿ“„ Details: Winter ice and debris wear down rubber blades. Fresh wipers ensure clear visibility during spring rain showers (and surprise snow squalls).

Thanks for reading and being part of our little corner of Billings. We truly appreciate your support and your subscription โ€” it means the world. Until next time, take care, enjoy the sunshine, and weโ€™ll see yaโ€™ next week! ๐ŸŒท

๐Ÿ’ก Answer to Trivia Question:

 Stranger Things

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The Trailhead Buzz

ยฉ 2026 The Trailhead Buzz.

Trailhead Buzz keeps you in the loop with everything happening around your community with local stories, upcoming events, small business spotlights, and the everyday moments that make your town feel like home. Itโ€™s your trail guide to what matters locally.

ยฉ 2026 The Trailhead Buzz.