01 Aug Round Up Spotlight: 47th Annual Sweet Pea Festival

For nearly 50 years, the Sweet Pea Festival has been promoting and cultivating the arts through a gathering held the first weekend in August in Bozeman, Montana. Though the festival has significantly grown since it launched, Sweet Pea continues to offer a range of family-friendly arts entertainment and activities, including live music, dance, theater, workshops, an artist marketplace, and a parade. As a registered nonprofit, Sweet Pea donates profits to regional arts education and special projects through its grant program, cultivating the organization’s ethos throughout the community all year. 

Dance, whether through diverse stage performances or in response to the lively musical lineup, is a Sweet Pea staple. | COURTESY OF SWEET PEA FESTIVAL

As a former Sweet Pea Festival volunteer and local musician, new Executive Director Mike Collins brings both substance and vision to his role for the nonprofit. Here, he shares a little background about the beloved annual event and what’s to come during his inaugural year.  

BIG SKY JOURNAL: How has Sweet Pea Festival’s mission and actualization evolved since its inception nearly 50 years ago?

MIKE COLLINS: Now in its 47th year, the Sweet Pea Festival has remained true to the mission the organizers first proposed nearly half a century ago: to promote and cultivate the arts in the Gallatin Valley. Over the years, the festival has grown to include more than 100 art vendors in the marketplace, nearly 20 food trucks and vendors, two days of various children’s activities, a flower show, and five different stages showcasing regional, national, and international dance, theatrical, and musical acts. Additional pre-festival events associated with Sweet Pea include a children’s run, parade, 5K adult run, dog parade, and sidewalk chalk drawing contest.

The main stage headlining bands, offering a wide range of musical genres, are always a rousing community draw. | COURTESY OF SWEET PEA FESTIVAL

BSJ: Why is the festival and behind-the-scenes grant program unique? What does the organization, and the volunteers and board members who support it, hope to achieve?

COLLINS: Since the program’s launch, Sweet Pea Festival has given over $400,000 in grants to various regional organizations. Any profits collected in excess of Sweet Pea’s operating expenses are added to the fund and any nonprofit representing the arts is encouraged to apply. This year, Sweet Pea provided grants to the Bozeman Public Library Foundation for its winter concert series, Whittier Elementary for its arts program, and the Montana Science Center to support the arts within its summer program. 

Each of the Sweet Pea Festival’s 38 working board members fulfills a crucial role in the festival’s success each year, uniquely embracing and embodying Sweet Pea’s mission to support and cultivate the arts throughout the community. Together with the grant program, Sweet Pea board members and hundreds of volunteers effectively spread the festival’s reach far beyond the first weekend in August each year, augmenting community arts education and appreciation through various means and outreach opportunities year-round. 

Face painting is a favorite among the many children’s activities offered throughout the weekend. | COURTESY OF SWEET PEA FESTIVAL

BSJ: Why sweet peas? Was there an initial significance to the festival name, and how did the anticipated annual poster contest develop?  

COLLINS: Sweet Pea’s name hasn’t changed since its very first year in 1978 and reflects the annual sweet pea flower show and contest that has always been a part of the weekend’s festivities.

The poster and T-shirt contests were developed in the spirit of community involvement in the arts. Each year, Sweet Pea accepts original artwork submissions for the poster, adult T-shirt design, and children’s T-shirt design several months before the festival. Those submissions are narrowed down to a selection of finalists by a committee of board members and volunteers. The board of directors then votes on a winner in each category. I can say without reservation that it’s no easy task: We have so many creative and talented individuals in our community.

BSJ: What sets Sweet Pea apart, and what are you most looking forward to this year?  

COLLINS: Sweet Pea is, and will always be, a unique community event that invites people of every age and interest to come together and celebrate the beauty of art. The range of offerings and talents from all over the world is unparalleled regionally. As its new director, I’m honored to experience Sweet Pea at its helm this year and look forward to all I can offer.

That said, Sweet Pea has had a mindblowing number of board and community member volunteers over the past five decades; the organization relies heavily on that amazing effort from so many individuals. I think the most incredible thing about this organization is just how many people in the Gallatin Valley have committed their time and talents to its vision and have continued to step in and step up to keep Sweet Pea alive and thriving.

BSJ: As the new executive director, what plans do you have for this year’s festivities?

COLLINS: Our plans for this year’s festival are to continue to do what Sweet Pea has always done: provide a memorable three-day event for people of all ages to experience art, music, dance, theater, family activities, a wonderful and embracing community, and much, much more.

The 47th Annual Sweet Pea Festival will be held in Lindley Park on August 2 – 4, with various activities throughout Bozeman in the week leading up to the event. Visit sweetpeafestival.org for further information, including a schedule of events and ticket pricing.