Orlando's Second Annual Bastille Day Returns to the Garden District July 10, 2010, 2 p.m. to 10 p.m. The festival will feature an array of activities including live music, French wine and champagne, Provencal petanque games, Parisian waiters race, dunk-a-mime tank, French market, and Pretend Poodle Parade, as well as appearances by Marie Antoinette and the presence of royalty from the Barony of Darkwater.
The day's festivities begin with a performance by Cirque du Soleil's musical director's band, the Benoit Glazer Quartet. From 2 p.m. to 3 p.m. listeners will enjoy jazz while sipping champagne in Stardust. Following Benoit's group will be a variety of entertainers throughout the event, including rockabilly artist, John Gallagher, who will perform on the Moulin Rouge stage at Park Ave. CDs.
As musicians and jugglers perform throughout the street fair, Lafayette Park on Corrine Drive will host a number of activities. Provencal petanque games will take place under the oaks, a French market will offer wine, art and food, and Central Florida's Society for Creative Anachronism will present local royalty from the Barony of Darkwater.
"We're really excited about this festival," says Garden District Director, Kat Quast. "We're pulling out all the stops to offer festival-goers a wide range of things to do from fine wine sampling to the Pretend Poodle contest."
Two different contests will be held. At 5 p.m. the Parisian Waiters race will take place in front of B3 and at 7 p.m. poodle wannabees can strut their stuff on the Moulin Rouge stage in the Pretend Poodle Parade. Prizes will be issued in both contests.
There will even be mimes, but with a twist. These mimes will be in a water tank and guests will be offered the opportunity to try their luck at dunking the mimes.
All proceeds from this festival will go towards the non-profit Audubon Park Garden District.