Bastille Day in New Jersey: Frenchtown: July 15-16, 2006

The weekend of July 15 & 16 Frenchtown NJ will hold it’s 8th annual Bastille Day Festival. The festival celebrates the history of Frenchtown, NJ and the famous Bastille Day Festival in France. The event is being held in Historic Downtown Frenchtown’s business district of Bridge and Race Streets.

There will be historical mini-lectures held in three locations within the business district.

In the 1776 Tent: Sal DeSapio, historian of the Kingwood Historical Society, will speak on the role of Frenchtown and the surrounding areas in the American Revolution. He will address how the French helped us gain our independence from England. He will speak from 1 to 1:30 pm in the Mews between the National Hotel and Nelson Bridge on Race Street.

In the 1789 Tent: Dr. Anne Paccaly and Dr. Dominique Paccaly, and their two daughters, Chloe and Camille, a French family living in Pittstown, will discuss the legacy of Bastille Day. They have lived in this country for almost 10 years and celebrate Bastille Day with their friends and families each year in an authentic French tradition. The costumes being worn are donated by the Northlight Community Center of Roxborough, Pa. They will speak from 3:00 to 3:30 pm in the Banknorth Parking Lot on the corner of Bridge St. and Harrison St.

In the 1795 Tent: Chris Poh, a Frenchtown councilperson and broadcaster at the radio station, WDVR, will speak about the history of Frenchtown. He will particularly address the French influence. He will speak from 4:30 to 5:00 pm in the lawn adjacent to the Frenchtown Inn on Bridge Street.

Visitors may also join a guided heritage tour of the historic downtown district, sign up at the Information Booth at Bridge and Harrison Streets.

Activities throughout the day include craft demonstrations by local crafters as well as a puppet show Grimm’s “Little Red Cap” for children hosted by River Union Stage Professional Equity Theater. Street clowns, mimes and musicians will stroll throughout the downtown area greeting the Bastille Festival visitors. The three tent areas will be active with bands, artists, face painting and Celtic harp music between the historical talks.

Stay in town on Saturday evening the 15th for a free movie on the lawn of The Studio at 12 Bridge St. at 9 pm (rain date Sunday). The Widow McCrae House, Frenchtown’s premiere B and B, and the Studio sponsor this annual classic movie. This year’s offering will be “CHARADE”, a smart and classy “whodunit” starring Audrey Hepburn, Cary Grant, Walter Matthau and James Coburn. Miss Hepburn’s gowns are by Givenchy. Romance and suspense in Paris, as a woman is pursued by several men who want the fortune her murdered husband had stolen. Who can she trust? Moviegoers are invited to bring a chair or blanket and a picnic if they chose. Gates will open at 7:30 pm.

While in Frenchtown be sure to browse the lovely shops, galleries and antique stores, and taste some the French specialties prepared by the restaurants. View the French cars parked in the TD Banknorth parking lot and stop by and have your picture taken at the “Be French in Frenchtown Photo Stand”.

Additional parking is provided at the public lot at Harrison and 10th Streets and a FREE shuttle bus is provided for traveling back to the festivities.

For additional information please visit Frenchtowner.com or call (908) 996-9993 or (908) 996-2022.

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Bastille Day is produced by the Frenchtown Business and Professional Association with funding in part from The Skylands Tourism Council