Bastille Days Celebrates 40th Anniversary July 13 – 16

MILWAUKEE, Wis. (June 14, 2023) – Pardon our French—Bastille Days, one of the world’s largest French festivals, is back for its 40^th Anniversary July 13 – July 16. The four-day festival will return after a successful 2022 reboot with even more to make you say, “Ooh La La,” including great food, entertainment, vendors and the popular Storm the Bastille 5K Run/Walk. The iconic Eiffel Tower replica returns this year amid ongoing restoration.

Storm the Bastille 5K Run/Walk

Bastille Days’ festivities kick off with its biggest fundraiser and Milwaukee’s only downtown, nighttime run/walk, the Storm the Bastille 5K. Participants will run or walk the route through Downtown Milwaukee and the Historic Third Ward to commemorate the storming of the Bastille, the 18th-century French prison that sparked the French Revolution. Storm the Bastille will open the 2023 festival thanks to presenting sponsor Madison Medical and support from Gruber Law Offices. The run closes out with entertainment by DJ Shawna. Register here and you can also choose to donate towards the ongoing restoration and operation of the Eiffel Tower.

Harley-Davidson Motorcycle Parking

The festival is partnering with Harley-Davidson as part of their Homecoming and Anniversary Celebration to offer free, onsite motorcycle parking July 14 – July 16.

Experiences, Music and Food to Make You Fall in ‘Louvre’

Festivalgoers can again enjoy roaming street performers along the Madison Medical Bastille Days Marketplace, celebrate your love by placing a padlock on the popular Love Lock sculpture, visit the fortune tellers and henna artist, or pay a visit to the French Bulldog Kissing Booth. There’s something for everyone to enjoy—the ever-popular Kids Day, on Saturday, July 15, sponsored by Educators Credit Union, will feature a variety of activities including a Beignet Breakfast, the Kohl’s Art Studio, a performance from the Milwaukee Ballet and a variety of other kid-centered vendors. Everyone can enjoy a tour and activities at The Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist.

Educators Credit Union Main Stage and Gruber Law Offices’ “One Call…That’s All” stage, along with three other stages, will offer a diverse entertainment line-up of over 50 musical acts. Highlights include   the Bastille Days chanteuse extraordinaire Robin Pluer, groups Paul Cebar Tomorrow Sound, the Extra Crispy Brass Band and the popular Madame Gigi’s Outrageous French Can-Can Dancers. The 2023 festival will feature the second annual This Is It! Drag Show, as well as house & disco sets provided in partnership with WMSE featuring “French Chill” music.

Door Peninsula Winery will once again provide wine tastings throughout the event alongside a new Paint & Sip experience on Saturday and Sunday. Returning fan food favorites include Beignets Français, Lake Park Bistro, Lagniappe Brasserie, Cream & Crepe Cafe and many more.

Visit the Bastille Days website for more info.

About Bastille Days

 

Bastille Days is presented by the East Town Association, Inc., a nonprofit downtown business organization that is fully funded by sponsors, donors and beverage sales. This event serves as the main fundraiser for East Town Association and helps promote the eastern portion of downtown Milwaukee and highlights the many businesses in the area. To support Storm the Bastille and related events, consider purchasing a beverage from one of the various on-site bars! If interested in donating or becoming a sponsor, please email info@easttown.com. Bastille Days is sponsored by Bud Light, Educators Credit Union, Madison Medical, Gruber Law Offices, Harley-Davidson, Saz’s Hospitality Group, Badger Liquor, Door Peninsula Winery and Pepsi. Community Partners include Milwaukee Downtown/BID 21, Milwaukee County Parks, Alliance Française de Milwaukee, SWARMM Events, STIR Advertising & Integrated Messaging and MSOE.

NOTE: This press release was submitted to Urban Milwaukee and was not written by an Urban Milwaukee writer. It has not been verified for its accuracy or completeness.