Bastille Day festivities fill the weekend

To hear Sharon Litwin’s radian interview about Bastille Day, click here.
Bastille Day New Orleans-style is an entire weekend this year, beginning on Friday the 13^th with a fund-raising dinner at Galvez Restaurant for the Alliance Francaise, followed by a rousing public firework display on the Mississippi River.

But le quatorze juillet really gets going on Saturday starting at 9 in the morning.

Take your poodle to Dutch Alley in the French Quarter, or dress your pooch of whatever variety (and yourself, for that matter) in French style, and you can be part of a sidewalk parade. It may be the closest you’ll get this year to sashaying along the Champs Elysees.

After the 10 a.m. ceremonial wreath-laying ceremony at the Jeanne d’Arc statue near the French Market, everyone is invited to join Consul General of France Jean-Claude Brunet and leaders of the city’s French-American organizations at a public reception in the Market Café.

Then, beginning at 3 p.m., it’s music, music, music until 9 p.m., when the Bal du 14 Juillet moves to the old U.S. Mint courtyard, where there will also be food and beverage vendors, hands-on crafts and children’s activities. Organizers say you’ll have more fun if you bring your dancing shoes.

At the other end of Esplanade Avenue, the Faubourg St. John block party near Café Degas kicks off at 5 p.m., as it has for the past many years. Hosted by the Faubourg St. John Merchants’ Association, this event, too, promises music and food and surprise drink specials.

And, if that’s not enough, there’s always the waiters’ race at the French Market at 4 p.m. Sunday to close out the weekend.

For more information on all the Fete de la Bastille activities, click here.

Sharon Litwin is president of NolaVie.