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Photos courtesy of Oscar's Park
Step Into History, Celebrate in Style at Oscar’s Park
Tucked along Wise Lane just minutes from Costco, Oscar’s Park feels like it’s worlds away. Unplug from the everyday and step into your very own pioneer town, right here in Billings. This place is more than a venue; it’s a family legacy, a living piece of Montana history, and the backdrop for unforgettable celebrations.
The story began back in the early 1970s when Oscar Cooke set out to save agricultural history for future generations. He started collecting farm equipment and old implements, not to build a museum, but because he couldn’t help himself. Eventually, his wife Marcella gave him an ultimatum, either stop collecting or open a museum. Thankfully, he chose the latter, and Oscar’s Dreamland was born. Before long, Marcella noticed local buildings and landmarks disappearing, so she began rescuing those too. From there, the pioneer town of Cookeville grew, and the property evolved into what we know today as Oscar’s Park.
Part of the magic lies in Cookeville itself, a historic pioneer village that lets visitors step back in time. Each building tells its own story about Montana’s colorful past, and guests can explore:
- Church with the oldest steeple in Billings
- First schoolhouse in Yellowstone County
- Railroad and depot
- Early 1900’s general store
- Old-time jail and padded cell
- Blacksmith shop
- Barber shop
- Fire station
- Mayor’s home
- News office
- Bank
- Ford garage
These details create an authentic backdrop that feels like a living museum, making Oscar’s Park more than just a venue, it’s an experience.
Today, Oscar and Marcella’s daughter Marcie Limpp and her husband Ricky carry the torch. When her parents passed, Marcie inherited the property along with its challenges. The original museum was lost in a forced auction, but she and Ricky managed to buy back the old town. With Ricky’s ironworking skills and a shared determination to keep her parents’ dream alive, they’ve spent nearly three decades restoring, rebuilding, and reimagining Oscar’s Park. It’s still proudly family-owned, more than 65 years strong. Plus, committed to being affordable, welcoming, and inclusive.
What makes Oscar’s Park stand out is its freedom and flexibility. Rentals span three days, giving families time to decorate, celebrate, and actually relax. Guests have had everything from Star Wars weddings to horse-drawn ceremonies to biker vows. Whether you want a riverside ceremony, a rustic church backdrop, or a mountain-facing lawn, the park is a blank canvas. And when it’s time to party, the air-conditioned main building and massive 3,000-square-foot covered deck keep everyone comfortable. As Marcie likes to say, “Yes, at Oscar’s Park you can party till the cows come home.”
It’s no wonder families keep coming back. One mom booked all three of her daughters’ weddings there, each one unique, with its own style and setting. Some couples have even chosen Oscar’s Park for both their first and second weddings, simply because it felt like home. Others return decades later, recreating photos from their wedding day with grown children beside them. Those kinds of full-circle moments are part of the magic.
Beyond weddings, the park has become a hub for the community. Marcie and Ricky regularly donate the venue to local groups like the Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, animal rescues, and schools looking for a place to gather. Fundraisers for kids battling illness, with the park opening its gates free of charge.
And through it all, the atmosphere remains peaceful, relaxing, and inviting. Visitors describe it as stepping into their own private world, quiet and timeless, but just five minutes from town.
Oscar and Marcella would be proud to see how their dream lives on through Marcie and Ricky’s stewardship. From its start as a personal collection to today’s celebrations of love, laughter, and community, Oscar’s Park has always been about preserving history and creating memories. As one father of the bride put it after hosting 550 guests, Oscar’s Park isn’t just the best venue in Billings, it’s the best in the state.
The Limpps hint that exciting plans are on the horizon, but for now, they’re keeping those under wraps. One thing is certain: Oscar’s Park will continue to be Billings’ best-kept secret for weddings, gatherings, and every special moment in between.
