On Saturday, July 11, the swords — and crêpes — will fly at the Crestview History Museum, located in the historic Bush House at 198 South Wilson St. as the tricolore flutters overhead. And it’s free!
The occasion is the celebration of France’s National Day, better known in the U.S. as Bastille Day. As a tactical maneuver, the June 14, 1779, storming of the Bastille prison fortress in Paris was something of a flop.
Revolutionaries expecting to liberate the fortresses’ prisoners found only seven inmates, but the siege quickly became a lasting and endearing symbol of the abolition of the monarchy and the founding of the French Republic. The holiday continues to stir hearts throughout France.
At the Bastille Day Celebration, visitors can meet members of the Sister City Program, learn about the city’s 31-year-old relationship under Sister Cities International with Noirmoutier-en-l’Île, and view a museum display about the congenial island community off the west coast of France.
Members of Unity Fencing Academy will demonstrate the time-honored sport of sword fighting and explain its elegant moves. Visitors may try on the protective gear and take a few practice thrusts, just like the renowned Three Musketeers of Alexandre Dumas’s famous 1844 novel.
In the kitchen, samples of various French foods will be served, while the Sister City Program’s favorite chef, Mary Richard, will demonstrate the art of flipping a crêpe and searing it to perfection. Try a sample, smeared with the deliciousness of several fillings, including chocolatey Nutella.
“French food is rightly renowned for its delicious taste, but also for the art of creating and presenting it,” Mrs. Richard said. “We’re looking forward to sharing it with our visitors.”
The June 11 celebration of Bastille Day and all its French culture runs from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Crestview History Museum, 198 South Wilson St. Admission is free. The celebration is presented by the Crestview Area Sister City Program and the Crestview History Museum.