Chalk on the Walk (Aug. 4) and the Bite of Bozeman (Aug. 5) lead up to the giant Sweet Pea Festival, Aug. 7-9 at Lindley Park. The big bouquet of entertainment by more than 30 performers includes music of all genres, performances by local theatre and dance troupes, workshops, children’s activities, a flower show, a beer and wine garden featuring Montana microbrews, and over 100 art and crafts vendors.
Festivities kick off at 4 p.m. Friday afternoon with a performance by Montana Shakespeare in the Parks of “Cyrano de Bergerac,” a performance by Amy Seiwert’s contemporary ballet company, Imagery, and music by Shakey Graves, the performance name of Alejandro Rose-Garcia, a one-man act who mesmerizes audiences with his seductive, spare hobo folk songs.
The festival ramps up Saturday with the Sweet Pea 5k and 10k run, a children’s run and a parade that leads to the park where festivities continue from 11:30 a.m.-10 p.m. and 10:30 a.m.-7 p.m. Sunday.
Saturday’s roster of musicians includes Off in the Woods, the Kitchen Dwellers, Hillstomp, Horse Feathers and Anderson East. Sunday brings Satsang, Band of Heathens, Eilen Jewell, and the Turnpike Troubadours.
The Spontaneous Combustibles, Live Radio Theatre and the Kaleidoscope Players take turns on stage; and the many dance troupes include Montana Ballet Company, Rocky Mountain Dance Theatre, Yellowstone Ballet, IndepenDANCE, and Mountain Air Dance.
Three-day wristbands are $15-$20 (free for children 6 and under) and day passes are $5-$10. Call 406-586-4003 or visit www.sweetpeafestival.org.