Sweet Pea, Bozeman’s own cultural Mecca, returns to Lindley
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 ERA Landmark Downtown Visitor’s Center. This all-hanging, two and three-dimensional juried show will feature a diverse collection of artwork, ranging from watercolor and oil paintings to photography to low-relief sculpture. 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!
Leading up to the main event in Lindley Park, Sweet Pea’s Bite of Bozeman is a favorite during the annual festivities. This palate-friendly evening precedes the main event and will take place on Wednesday, Aug. 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, Aug. 4th. The Sweet Pea Children’s Run will kick off the parade of colorful floats featuring this year’s theme, “Valley of the Flowers.” The parade is free and open to the public, running along Main between 8th Ave. and Wallace.
And down in Lindley Park, the annual Sweet Pea Flower Show will offer something for everyone – including a photo category. Whether you enjoy the excitement of a contest, the smell of the fragrant blossoms, or talking with other avid gardeners, you can experience it all at this year’s showcase. The flowers will be on display all weekend. Be sure to stop by the tent to cast your vote for People’s Choice.
Adults are invited to stop in the Beer & Wine Garden to enjoy a local brew or glass of wine while listening to the music in the Bowl. Thank you for honoring our longtime policy of no outside alcohol and drinking within the designated area only. Hours of operation: Friday from 4–9pm, Saturday from 12–9pm, and Sunday from 9–4pm. Enjoy responsibly!
There’s of course plenty of dance, theatre and family entertainment to keep everyone energized throughout the weekend. Montana Shakespeare in the Parks comes to Sweet Pea with two performances – Othello on Friday, Aug. 3rd at 3:30pm and Love’s Labour’s Lost on Sunday, Aug. 5th at 5pm. Both performances will take place in The Hollow.
Directed by Kevin Asselin, the tragedy of Othello will allow the audience to experience deceit, jealousy, and rage – all under the Big Sky! Then, guest director Steve Cardamone’s Love’s Labour’s Lost follows the King of Navarre and his companions when they swear off love for three years, but are tested by the Princess of France and her ladies.
Don’t Close Your Eyes: Live Radio Theatre hits the Cypress Stage on Sat., Aug. 4th at 11:30am. Creators Ryan Cassavaugh and Keith Suta present original plays from a variety of genres including sci-fi, comedy, western, thriller, comedy, and more live on stage with multi-voiced casts and entirely analog sound effects. Fast-paced, hilarious and engaging, Don’t Close Your Eyes is a unique and original anthology production the whole family can enjoy!
Verge Theater presents Random Acts of Improv on Saturday, Aug. 4th in The Hollow at 2:30pm. This fully-improvised play begins with just one suggestion from the audience. With fully-developed characters and storylines, you are guaranteed a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
And on the Family Stage, enjoy Farmer Jason at 11:15am on Saturday and 1:30pm on Sunday. His show is spontaneous and high-energy, involving sing-alongs, dancing, and discussions about nature appreciation, ecology, and farm animals.
Experience the Matt Baker Comedy & Stunt Show on Saturday at 1:30pm and Sunday at 2:30pm. His comedy never stops – even when performing stunts like catapulting vegetables, spitting ping-pong balls at volunteers or catching a bowling ball on his head. Baker’s hip comedy show is action-packed with audience participation and perpetual laughter.
And on Sunday at 11am, check out the music, song, and dance from the kids of Camp Equinox Summer Theatre Day Camp. Come delight to Equinox’s more than 120 campers as they share everything from Broadway musical numbers to hip-hop!
And last, but definitely not least, one of the biggest draws of Sweet Pea is the LIVE Music! The 2018 slate will include headlining performances by Big Head Todd and the Monsters, THE MAIN SQUEEZE, and Stephanie Quayle. Also appearing will be Dirty Revival, Hawthorne Roots, The Moondoggies, RANGES with Raison D’être Dance Project, NUCLASSICA, Mipso, Mathias and Dane Andrew Thompsen, Laney Lou and the Bird Dogs, and The Black Lillies.
There’s SO many other activities to discover! For further festival information and to purchase wristbands for the 2018 Sweet Pea Festival, visit www.sweetpeafestival.org. •