Picture this:
It’s officially summer. Your AC has now been on full blast for the past week, you’re about to finish your second run through of Game of Thrones and there seems to be a lot of empty ice cream tubs in the trash. Life seems to almost be standing completely still. You sit and ponder aloud “Wow, there just isn’t anything fun to do around here”.
Luckily, living in Milwaukee during this time of year prevents this excruciating boredom from occurring.
With so many live shows, street festivals, art showings, pop-up markets, and of course a plethora of food options, Milwaukee stands out with its vibrant, cultural and tasty summer event schedule. This upcoming weekend is no exception.
11 AM tomorrow rings in the 35th “Bastille Days”; a French street festival celebrating the French National Day, or as to say it in its native tongue, “Fete de la Federation”. The beautifully cultural event will be taking over Cathedral Square from Thursday morning through Sunday evening, although not completely similar to the takeover of the Bastille by the French public on the 14th of July in 1789. Instead of overthrowing the French monarchic establishment (although there is a tribute, Storm the Bastille - a run/walk that travels through the Third Ward to the square, where a 43 foot replica of the Eiffel Tower has been erected), the parishioners of this event will be able to experience live music, delicious French cuisine (as well as your traditional hamburgers, for those not quite as adventurous), wine tastings, art, fireworks, waiter/waitress races and even a Mardi Gras parade on Friday night.
Bastille Days boasts a pretty hefty crowd for the weekend - upwards of 200,000 people. So, not quite as big as Summerfest, but if you’re looking to maybe help satiate those Fest withdrawals, this could definitely help you out.
One more thing - promise to celebrate in a wild but safe manner. As much as I would love to tell you to fully take on the traditions of old, I would advise you not to do exactly as the French used to. At the peak of their celebrations, there would be an abundance of people running nude throughout the streets. While this does seem like fun - in this day and age you would get slapped with a lot of legal problems. So maybe this year, just stick to the delicious food & drink while you chill out and jam to some sweet live tunes.
Check out more information about the daily events during Bastille Days here.
Will
g.moxie