Historic France Fest MIlwaukee
Bastille Days Commemorates French Revolution with Street Festival WI
Jun 20, 2008
Bastille Days is a national holiday in France that commemorates the end of the French monarchy and the beginning of the French Revolution. In Paris the French holiday is celebrated at the famed Champs de Elyse. Thousands of miles away, in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, a sister festival is held on Cathedral Square.
In Paris, France, a festival is held on July 14 . In Milwaukee, French Bastille Days is a four day street festival that runs from July 10 - 13, 2008.
The French Revolution was a bloody rebellion that was the result of the poor living conditions of the general population in France at the end of the 18th century.
France had the largest population in Europe, but the French people suffered from lack of food and starvation. The poor and middle class population of France were in a bad situation that was becoming worse. When told that the people had no bread, Queen Antoinette was creditied with the famous statement, "Let them eat cake." King Louis XVI and Queen Marie Antoinette suffered their downfall when the people of France rebelled against the monarchy.
Masses of citizens banded together and stormed the Bastille prison on July 14, 1789. The Bastille was the symbol of the corrupt political system. The storming of the Bastille was the beginning of the French Revolution.
Bastille Days commemorates the 1790 storming of the Bastille, which was the French prison. The Bastille was seen as a symbol of the uprising of the modern French nation. The historic Storming of the Bastille is considered the launching point of the French Revolution that toppled the monarchy.
In Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Bastille Days is celebrated as a street party. The streets surrounding Cathedral Square are blocked off for the French themed festival.
Impressive St. John the Evangelist Cathedral is the anchor of Cathedral Square and overlooks the Bastille Day festivities. Cathedral Park is a large rectangular park surrounded by restaurants and businesses. The focal point of the Bastille Days festival is the 43 foot high Eiffel Tower replica.
Bastille Days commemorates the French revolution and celebrates French culture.
Festival goers stroll the streets and park, food and drink in hand, and enjoy the free entertainment. Street performers and singing minstrels offer impromptu entertainment. Over 70 live performances take place over the four day festival. Musical bands perform a variety of jazz, swing, cydeco, rock, Cajun, blues and folk music.
Highlights of the Bastille Days festival include the M&I Bank Storm the Bastille Race, French Mass at St. John's Cathedral on Saturday nights,, Chef demonstrations, wine demonstrations, Alliance Francaise Culture Tent and the Waiter/Waitress Race.
- Bastille Days is kicked off by the M & I Bank Storm the Bastille on July 10 at 9 pm. This is a 5K run and 2 mile walk. . Participants walk and run through the Historic Third Ward and the streets of downtown Milwaukee. Storm the Bastille starts and finishes at Jefferson and Wells Streets. Registration for Storm the Bastille is $20.
- French Mass is held at St. John the Evangelist Cathedral on July 12, Saturday night. French Mass is spoken and French hymns are sung. St. John the Evangelist is the mother church of the Archdiocese of Milwaukee, Wisconsin. The historic cathedral, which is the anchor of Cathedral Square, is at 812 N. Jackson, Milwaukee.
- Chef Demonstrations. Daily chef demonstrations offer cooking expertise by Milwaukee area chefs. Chef demonstrations take place daily.
- Wine Demonstrations. Experts share their knowledge with daily wine demonstrations, Experts answer questions and offer wine samples.
- Alliance Francaise Culture Tent. Merchandise from France, including art, apparel and souvenirs are available at the market. Simple French lessons are offered several times daily.
- Waiter/Waitress Race Sunday, July 13. Teams from area restaurants compete with each other. The teams carry wine filled glasses through an obstacle course.
- Bastille Days offers entertainment on two stages. The Kilborn East Stage and Madison medical Beaux Arts Stage offer enjoyable entertainment from noon to midnight. Entertainers include Twang Dragons, Cajun Strangers, Something To Do, Michelet Innocent, Bourbon St. Stampers, Elegant Gypsies, Robin Pluer, Liam Ford & The Band in Black, Bourbon Stealin' Strings, Repertoire, Uptown Savages, Ryan McIntyre, King Comets, Denny Breau.
Bastille Days is a street festival that offers entertainment and a touch of French culture. The Milwaukee festival is a terrific way to spend an afternoon or evening of entertainment.
Information is subject to change.
For additional Milwaukee travel information, read: Top Hotels Downtown Milwaukee, WI and Ethnic Restaurants Milwaukee Wisconsin
