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Bastille Days brings France to the Fresh Coast for its 42nd time. The French fun runs from Thursday, July 17, through Sunday, July 20.
Produced by local nonprofit East Town Association Inc., Bastille Days takes place in Cathedral Square Park and features French-inspired food, live music and family-friendly programming. Attendance to Bastille Days is free.
Bastille Days’ festivities kick off with the Storm the Bastille 5k Run/Walk on Thursday July 17. Those who register before July 1 will receive a special edition race T-shirt. Plus, all registrants have the option to donate to the ongoing restoration of Bastille Days’ 42-foot Eiffel Tower replica.
Bastille Days supports over 80 local vendors, many of them small businesses, and showcases over 60 musicians and entertainers across multiple stages, with a lineup that highlights primarily local talent.
Returning food vendors include local favorites Beignet Francaise, Lake Park Bistro, Lagniappe Brasserie and Crawdaddy’s on Greenfield. This year also welcomes new vendors, including Lupi & Iris, Margaux Brasserie, Xavier’s Crêpes and Baked Cheese Haus, which will serve French-style Raclette cheese melted over toasted baguettes. Additionally, weekend-long wine tastings will return, featuring selections from Door Peninsula Winery.
Musical acts include international rock band La Jarry from France along with Milwaukee acts Panadanza, Extra Crispy Brass Band, Big Spoon, Breaking Cadence, Robin Pluer, Jerry Grillo and Madame Gigi’s French Can-Can Dancers.
Other entertainment includes the Bastille Days Drag Show, presented by Milwaukee Pride, returning for its fourth year. On Sunday, the “Vive La Révolution” Battle of the Bands, a partnership with WMSE and Rushmor Records, will showcase underground bands from across the Midwest. Also as a part of Navy week, The Navy Great Lakes Liberty Call Brass Band will perform.
Kids Day takes place on Saturday, July 19, and features activities from the Milwaukee Art Museum’s Kohl’s Art Studio, French language lessons from Milwaukee French Immersion School and performances by School of Rock Shorewood. Families can also enjoy roaming buskers, explore the Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist, stop by the French Bulldog Kissing Booth or shop the International Marketplace, which features artisan vendors and global goods.
Molly Snyder started writing and publishing her work at the age 10, when her community newspaper printed her poem, "The Unicorn.” Since then, she's expanded beyond the subject of mythical creatures and written in many different mediums but, nearest and dearest to her heart, thousands of articles for OnMilwaukee.
Molly is a regular contributor to FOX6 News and numerous radio stations as well as the co-host of "Dandelions: A Podcast For Women.” She's received five Milwaukee Press Club Awards, served as the Pfister Narrator and is the Wisconsin State Fair’s Celebrity Cream Puff Eating Champion of 2019.
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