Free Bastille Days festival gives Milwaukee a lively French accent
Stroll through Milwaukee's Cathedral Square like it’s the Champs-Élysées during the Bastille Days festival.
Milwaukee celebrates France's national holiday with a French-themed festival Thursday through Sunday in the East Town neighborhood. The free four-day street party attracts more than 200,000 each year.
Bastille Day (July 14) itself commemorates the storming of the Bastille, a turning point in the French Revolution.
During our Bastille Days, roaming buskers and mimes will create a Parisian mood under the lights of the 43-foot Eiffel Tower replica.
Fill up on crêpes and beignets. More than 25 restaurant stands including Bartolotta's Lake Park Bistro, Le Rêve Patisserie and Café and Peter Sciortino Bakery will serve French, Creole and American foods. More than 90 merchant booths will sell French fabrics, soaps, cards and art.
Practice sommelier skills at ticketed wine tastings Friday and Saturday. Tickets for the eight-wine tasting are $25 in advance, $35 at the festival.
Re-enact the historic storming of the prison in Paris with the Storm the Bastille 5K Run through East Town and the Historic Third Ward. The race begins Thursday at 9 p.m. Same-day registration is $25 and includes a long-sleeved race shirt.
A Mardi Gras parade will march down Kilbourn Ave. Friday night at 8:30 p.m., 9:30 p.m. and 10:30 p.m.
Live entertainment at four stages ranges from Madame Gigi's Outrageous French CanCans to Milwaukee area singer-songwriters Claire Kelly and Ryan McIntyre. Several groups will represent French-flavored Louisiana musical traditions, including Mardi Gras Indian funk band Cha Wa, which performs July 14.
Learn to "parler français" with French classes. Daily chef, wine and cheese demonstrations also will be offered. Waiters and waitresses will race through an obstacle course at 3 p.m. Sunday for the coveted first-place title.
Bring the kids Saturday for activities and games starting with a French breakfast at 10 a.m. Kid-friendly activities include balloon and caricature artists, ballet lessons, a magician and crafts.
A French mass will be celebrated at 5:15 p.m. July 15 at the Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist, 812 N. Jackson St.