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Celebrate Bastille Day 2011 with NYC Kids
Fourth of July festivities may be over but on Thursday, July 14, you can celebrate Independence Day all over again, French-style. Bastille Day is a national holiday in France that commemorates the storming of the eponymous prison, a pivotal moment during the French Revolution.
In Paris, a huge military parade marches down the Champs-Élysées, followed by massive parties and fireworks at the Eiffel Tower. Although there won't be any processions or sparklers here in NYC, there are a few fetes. In fact, the Big Apple is home to one of the largest Bastille Day celebrations outside of the City of Lights, right on the Upper East Side.
While many of the activities are aimed at adults (sorry kids, you're not ready for wine yet), les enfants can get a taste of French culture (beyond French fries), and maybe even play a little pétanque. Liberté, égalité, fraternité! Here's how to celebrate Bastille Day in NYC with your family.
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Bastille Day on 60th Street – Upper East Side
60th Street between Fifth and Lexington Avenues
Sunday, July 10 noon-5pm
FREE
Enjoy three blocks full of French culture and entertainment, courtesy of the French Institute/Alliance Française (FI:AF). There will be wandering accordion players and mimes, chanteuses, cancan dancers and an open-air market featuring French goods. Kids can play pétanque (it's kind of like lawn bowling, only there are no pins to knock down), get their faces painted, do arts and crafts, and check out classic vehicles at the Citroën car show. Interested in learning the language? You can try 30-minute classes for beginners or Au Restaurant: French & Food French workshops. Register in advance for these events at the FI:AF booth at the fest. For $15, parents can enjoy wine, cheese and beer tastings.
Bastille Day and Petanque Tournament – Carroll Gardens
Smith Street between Bergen and Pacific Streets
Sunday, July 10 11am-10pm
FREE
The street outside of French eatery Bar Tabac is covered with sand and turned into a makeshift pétanque court where 80 teams will compete. It's an annual Bastille Day tradition that also boasts food, drinks (alcoholic ones for adults), live music and other activities.
Bastille Festival 2011 – Midtown West
Sky Deck Terrace at the Novotel Hotel, 26 West 52nd Street between Fifth and Sixth Avenues
Saturday, July 16-Sunday, July 17 11am-7pm
FREE with advance online reservations. At the door: $10 for adults, free for children under age 13.
Probably best for tweens and up, this festival showcases photography, sculpture and other visual arts, live music, wine and cuisine demos and theater lessons.
Read about other summer festivals in New York City.
