The 2017 Sweet Pea Festival returns to the Bozeman area Friday, August 4th through Sunday, August 6th as it celebrates its 40th year. One of the biggest draws of the annual festival of the arts is live music! Here’s a look at the schedule of 2017 performers. The 2017 Sweet Pea Festival returns to the Bozeman area Friday, August 4th through Sunday, August 6th as it celebrates its 40th year.
One of the biggest draws of the annual festival of the arts is live music! Here’s a look at the schedule of 2017 performers. Hip-hoppy roots ensemble Congo Sanchez will start things off on Friday, August 4th at 6:30pm, followed by funkmasters The Motet at 8pm. Saturday, August 5th will see a slew of performances, beginning with the prairie-born country artist Colter Wall at 12pm, folk blues and traditional spirituals by Charlie Parr at 1:30pm, and some excellently danceable indie roots from Parsonsfield at 3pm. Susto will showcase their variety with everything from alt-country to reggae at 6pm, prior to Nashville neo-rockers Moon Taxi, who’ll take the stage at 8pm. Sunday, August 6th performances include indie pop and Americana duo The Harmaleighs at 11am, gritty Texas singer/songwriter Red Shahan at 12pm, folksy multi-instrumentalist Laura Gibson at 1:30pm, and experimental indie rock band Cloud Cult with the closing set at 3pm.
Music aside, the Bite of Bozeman is also highlight of the annual festivities. This palate-friendly evening precedes the main event and will take place on Wednesday, August 2nd beginning at 5:30pm in Downtown Bozeman. Enjoy the food and drink offerings of over 40 area restaurants and food vendors. With entertainment on every corner, food choices galore, and the fun of dining among friends in the middle of Main Street, you’re sure to have a good time! This year, immediately following the Bite of Bozeman, Sweet Pea will present a FREE film screening of The Seeker at The Ellen Theater beginning at 8:30pm. The film spotlights the band Cloud Cult, which is scheduled to play the following Sunday afternoon at Lindley Park. Cloud Cult will be the last of 12 main stage performances. The Sweet Pea Parade is something all locals and returning visitors are familiar with. Of the largest and most popular parades in the state of Montana, this year’s event will take place on Saturday, August 5th at 10am. The Sweet Pea Children’s Run will kick off the parade of colorful floats featuring this year’s theme: “Back to Our Roots.” The parade is free and open to the public, running along Main St. between 8th Ave & Wallace. The week leading up to the Festival offers additional fun-filled, community events. Artists of all skill levels converge on Main Street for Chalk on the Walk Tuesday morning. The Sweet Pea Art Show runs July 14th – September 1st at the Emerson Center. Admission to events leading up to Festival weekend is complimentary. Admission to the events in Lindley Park requires the purchase of an admission wristband. Full Weekend Access wristbands are $20 in advance, and can also be purchased at the gate on a depreciating scale for $30 on Friday, $25 Saturday, and $15 Sunday. Kids Full Weekend Access wristbands are $10 in advance, or $15 at the gate on Friday, $10 Saturday, and $5 Sunday.
Sweet Pea is a three-day festival of the arts held the first Friday, Saturday, and Sunday every August. The Festival kicks off late Friday afternoon in Lindley Park with a performance by Montana Shakespeare in the Parks. Saturday ramps up with a children’s run and parade that lead the community to the park where the festivities continue through 7pm on Sunday. Weekend entertainment comes in many forms — music of all genres, performances by local theatre and dance troupes, workshops, family-friendly entertainment and activities, a flower show, a beer and wine garden featuring Montana microbrews, and over 100 arts and crafts vendors to stroll through and purchase unique gifts for yourself, family, and friends. For further festival information or to purchase wristbands to the 2017 Sweet Pea Festival, visit www.sweetpeafestival.org. •
