Sweet Pea returns to Bozeman, Lindley for year 41
The Sweet Pea Festival returns to the Bozeman area for its 2018 event, Friday, August 3rd through Sunday, August 5th in celebration of its 41st year.
Sweet Pea is a three-day festival of the arts held the first weekend in 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 Sunday evening. 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.
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. On Wednesday evening, local restaurants line Main Street to offer up samples of their fare, while musicians entertain, during the ever popular Bite of Bozeman. The Sweet Pea Art Show will be on display at the Emerson Center as well. Admission to events leading up to Festival weekend is free. Admission to the events in Lindley Park requires the purchase of an admission wristband. Full Weekend Access wristbands are $20 in advance, or $10 for kids.
Here’s a look at some event highlights that make Sweet Pea what it is! Sweet Pea’s Bite of Bozeman is a highlight of the annual festivities. This palate-friendly evening precedes the main event and will take place on Wednesday, August 1st 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!
The Sweet Pea Parade is something all locals and returning visitors are familiar with. The Sweet Pea Festival Parade is one the largest and most popular parades in the state of Montana, taking place this year on Saturday, August 4th. The Sweet Pea Children’s Run will kick off the parade of colorful floats featuring this year’s theme. The parade is free and open to the public, running along Main between 8th Ave. and Wallace.
And last, but definitely not least, one of the biggest draws of Sweet Pea is the LIVE Music! Here’s a look at the schedule of 2018’s performance slate. Dirty Revival will start things off on Friday, August 3rd at 6:30pm, before Big Head Todd and the Monsters brings down the house at 8pm. Saturday, August 4th will see a slew of performances, starting with Hawthorne Roots at 12pm, The Moondoggies at 1:30pm, and RANGES with Raison D’être Dance Project at 3pm. Check out NUCLASSICA at 4:30pm, Mipso at 6pm, and THE MAIN SQUEEZE headlining at 8pm. Sunday, August 5th performances include Mathias and Dane Andrew Thompsen with Elle Fine from Moose Acoustic Brunch from 9–11am, Laney Lou and the Bird Dogs at 12pm, The Black Lillies at 1:30pm, and Stephanie Quayle finishing things off at 3pm.
For further festival information and to purchase wristbands for the 2018 Sweet Pea Festival, visit www.sweetpeafestival.org. •
