Storm the “Bastille”!

Philadelphia seems to love it’s quirky traditions – on Saturday, July 16 join Philly in storming the Eastern State Penitentiary for it’s Bastille Day celebrations!

By Nichole Baldino

Bastille Day is the French National Holiday commemorating the beginning of a new type of government. On July 14, 1789 the French revolutionaries stormed the prison (or the Bastille) where the monarchs sent those who disobeyed their orders, releasing the captured prisoners. It helped the French to gain a feeling of independence. This day is celebrated annually in France and throughout the world. Philadelphia does it’s part celebrating as hundreds of “revolutionaries” (natives, tourists and professionals alike) storm the “Bastille”, or in this case the Eastern State Penitentiary, dragging Marie Antoinette with them straight to the guillotine on July 16!

The Penitentiary has a line up of French inspired events and activities all weekend, with a huge reenactment commencing at 5:30pm on Saturday. Starting at 2:00pm on Saturday, come dressed in your revolutionary-best for the pet and bicycle parade, followed by a French fashion show, musical performances, and Can-Can dancers! At 5:30, 2,000 Butterscotch Krimpets will be thrown from the towers to capture Antoinette as she cries “Let them eat Tastykake!” (Get it? ha ha ha)

Throughout the day explore the “Bastille” ($12 admission)  and visit tents hosted by local owners featuring everything from face painting to flowers to tips on French cheeses.

Be sure to reserve a table at a Fairmount area restaurant for after the celebrations, as French cuisine specials will carry on into the evening and even the next day. Don’t miss this unique city tradition weekend, where you can start out with a “Fairmount French Fling Bar Crawl” on Thursday night and end it with a French “champagne brunch” Sunday morning!

“Let them eat cake!” Bastille Day at Eastern State Penitentiary

By Brynn Monaghan

Ooh la la! Get your finest powdered wig out for the 17th Annual Bastille Day Street Festival that will be taking place this Saturday, July 10, from 2 – 6 p.m. at the Eastern State Penitentiary (22nd & Fairmount Ave.). 

This year will be my first time watching the reenactment of the Storming of the Bastille a.k.a. the Eastern State Penitentiary.  I have my  black and white striped shirt, barrette and a red scarf  all ready for the big day (I wish that was true, but I don’t own any of those things). Dressed for the occasion or not, I’m very excited to go because I have  heard such great things about it.

Here’s what I’ve heard:

– At 2 p.m., The Fairmount Pet Shoppe Pet Parade. Parade your furry friend around in fashionable French and win prizes! Prizes categories: “Best French Themed Costume / Outfit”, and “Best French Character”. That sounds like a whole lot of cuteness! Register at petparade@easternstate.org

– There will be fun things for the kids including a Tricycle Tour de France at 3 p.m. for 4 to 8 yr. olds.  Prizes will be awarded to “Best French Decorated Bike”. Register at tricyclerace@easternstate.org

– At 5:15, a costume contest will be held. Dress up, aristocrat OR dress down, peasant!

– At 5:30 p.m., musket clad French Revolutionaries storm the Bastille wall, capture Marie Antoinette, and drag her to a functioning guillotine. The entire time Marie is hooting and hollering, “Let them eat Tastykake!”, thousands of Tastykakes are  thrown from the tower walls. Nothing like watching a guillotine reenactment with a Tastykake in hand. Tasty!

– You’ll work up an appetite after all that revolutionary activity. Luckily, local restaurants and bars will be serving up French fare and an awesome beer special- $3 Kronenbourg. Participating restaurants and bars include: The London Grill, The Belgian Cafe, Bishop’s Collar, Bridgid’s Bar & Restaurant, Jack’s Firehouse, Luigi’s Pizza Fresca, Mughshots, Trio, Urban Saloon, and Rembrandt’s. 

Doesn’t all that fun make you want to come out and be French for a day?  I know it makes me want to. 

Bastille Day Street Festival. Eastern State Penitentiary (22nd & Fairmount Ave.).  Saturday- July 10th. 2-6 p.m.  www.easternstate.org/events