The sweet pea is the favorite flower of Bozeman, Montana, so — of course — there’s a Sweet Pea Festival every year, held on the first weekend of August.

Dates for this year’s event, the 36th annual, are August 2 through 4, 2013.

According to the organizers, the modern day fest got its start in 1978, but it takes its inspiration from a series of carnivals held in the early 1900s.

Check out previous years’ Sweet Pea Festival posters here. At right is your Road Trips Gardener‘s favorite, the poster from 1997.

The festival opens on Friday with flower shows, Shakespearean performances and live music. A children’s run kicks things off on Saturday, and a parade follows. A variety of performances occur throughout the festival grounds while artists and craftsmen sell their work under the shade of giant trees.

(Images courtesy of the Sweet Pea Festival)