Tuesday, July 12, 2011

Philadelphia Celebrates Bastille Day


Philadelphia’s French connection seems to be getting stronger. While the City of lights is over 3,700 miles away, its revolutionary spirit has almost always had an effect on Philadelphians. On July 14, France celebrates its independence with parades, music and fireworks on Bastille Day, signifying the beginning of the French Revolution.

Philadelphians celebrate the lauded French holiday by embracing its food at French restaurants around the city, and even recreating the storming of the Bastille, the battle that began the revolution.


On Thursday, July 14, Le Bec Fin, Philadelphia’s landmark French restaurant, will host its Annual Sidewalk Festival from 11:30am – 9pm. There will be champagne for $7, red or white wine for $6, sweet or savory crepes for $4 and mini pastries for $2.

Inside, Le Bec Fin will be serving a Steak Frites special for $25 per person, including a salad, steak frites and glass of wine during lunch from 11:30am – 2:30pm and dinner from 5:30pm – 9:30pm. There will even be a dj during dinner.

At Bistrot La Minette, the Bastille Day Celebration will span two nights on July 13 & 14 with a four course French BBQ buffet for $35 per person, or add the wine pairing and the cost is $50.

There are a slew of events coordinated by Eastern State Penitentiary in Fairmount from Thursday, July 14 - Sunday, July 17, as well.


Thursday, July 14:
Fairmount will be hosting the Fairmount French Fling Bar Crawl beginning on 21st & Green at The Belgian Café at 7pm. Click Here for the full lineup.

Friday, July 15:
The Philadelphia Museum of Art’s Friday night series, Art After 5 will be dedicated to Bastille Day with a party featuring Beau Django, a French inspired style of gypsy swing music.

Mugshots Fairmount will be hosting its weekly Family Film night and screening Ratatouille at 7pm. Get a free mini cupcake with every French soda purchase.

The Friends of Eastern State Penitentiary will also be showing movies outdoors with Free Film Screenings on the lawn including Pepe Le Pew Cartoons at 8pm and Disney's Hunchback of Notre Dame at 8:30pm.


Saturday July 16:
The Bastille Day Festival will run from 2pm – 6pm, with tours of the Penitentiary, a pet parade, decorated bike parade, French fashion show, music, can-can dancers, a costume contest and ending with a reenactment of the storming of the Bastille at 5:30pm when “Marie Antionette” played by Terry McNally, co-owner of London Grill, will be drug to a guillotine while Butterscotch Krimpets will rain from the sky, in remembrance of her proclamation “Let them Eat Cake!”

Pets registered for the parade will be eligible to win prizes for the Best French Themed Costume / Outfit or Best French Character. Register at petparade@easternstate.org.

Kids ages 4 – 10 can be registered for the Bike Parade and will also be eligible for prizes including two grand prizes from Fairmount Bicycles - new bike helmets and $50 gift certificates! Register at bikeparade@easternstate.org.

Sunday, July 17:
Fairmount restaurants including The Belgian Café, London Grill, Trio and Bridgid's Bar & Restaurant will be hosting a Champagne Brunch. Click here for details.

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