Wednesday, July 14, 7-10pm
Market Square, Downtown Fredericksburg


This event is free and open to the public.

Join us for a traditional dance in honor of 14 Juillet, Bastille Day. 

Enjoy food, drink, and music by "Jour de Fête" from Fréjus, France

There will be wine, food, and ice cream for sale.

Come join us in the celebration!

This special holiday marks the day in 1789 when Parisians stormed
the Bastille, a fortress and prison in Paris where prisoners of influence were held. King
Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette took refuge at Versailles as the peasants destroyed and
burned the records of feudal dues. The Bastille stood as a symbol of hypocrisy and
corruption of the aristocratic government. This important event marked the entrance of
the popular class into the French Revolution. Bastille Day is recognized as the end of
the monarchy and the beginning of the modern republic. Today there is a grand military
parade up the Champs Elysées, colorful arts festivals, and village parties marking the
holiday.

As part of this famous tradition, the band Jour de Fête from Fréjus will appear in Market
Square, Fredericksburg, to share with us their Parade of Lights and traditional music.