Bastille Day
As early as 1789, the year of the storming of the Bastille, preliminary designs for a national festival were underway. These designs were intended to strengthen the country's national identity through the celebration of the events of 14 July 1789. One of the first designs was proposed by Clément Gonchon, a French textile worker, who presented his design for a festival celebrating the anniversary of the storming of the Bastille to the French city administration and the public on 9 December 1789. There were other proposals and unofficial celebrations of 14 July 1789, but the official festival sponsored by the National Assembly was called the Fête de la Fédération.
History of the French in Baltimore
An annual French Fair is held in Seton Hill. In 2014 it was on 11 October from 12 to 5 in Saint Mary's Park. The Seton Hill Association hosts this free French Fair to celebrate the neighborhood as Baltimore’s old French Quarter. The Fair highlights city living and vendors of French themed food. It kicks off at 12 pm with DJ Steve Windows. Hot Club of Baltimore play jazz at 1 pm followed by a signature French Maid race at 2 pm. Black Cherry Puppet Theater performs a Marionette show at 2.30, Kevin McWha Steele sings from 3-4 pm and Victoria Vox finishes the music until 5 pm. In between these acts there is hula hooping on the central green, Petanque in the park, a flea and craft market, Art on the Fence, and a kids' corner that will include building a 6-foot and mini Eiffel towers, Toddler Tour de France, a mini Grand Prix, face painting, sack races and other entertainment.