Bastille Day On 60th Street Sunday, July 15, 2012 Noon To 5pm

The French Institute Alliance Francaise (FIAF), New York's premiere French cultural center, announced today the festivities planned for this year's edition of Bastille Day on 60th Street, New York's biggest and liveliest French fete.

For over 15 years, Bastille Day on 60th Street has been the largest public celebration in New York of the friendship between France and the United States: over 25,000 visitors attended the festival in 2011. FIAF will bring this celebration of France's Independence Day, which commemorates the storming of the Bastille and the dawn of the modern French nation, to the streets of New York. Native French-speakers and American Francophiles unite at FIAF's annual street fair, Bastille Day on 60th Street, to revel in the flavors, sounds, and joie de vivre of France.

Abounding with French cuisine, musique, dance, and myriad attractions for the whole family, Bastille Day will transform East 60th Street between Fifth and Lexington Avenue into a fete populaire. For five hours, the street is closed to traffic and dedicated to Franco-American celebrations. This year, Bastille Day on 60th Street celebrates the Beaujolais region with a special tasting of Beaujolais wines, along with a raffle Grand Prize trip for two to discover the scenic, wine-producing region.

Highlights will include:

- The best in French cuisine! New York's greatest French culinary establishments offer up a feast of delicacies a la francaise. Top-rated restaurants and bakeries include Rouge Tomate, Payard Patisserie & Bistro, Financier Pastries, Brasserie Cognac, Macaron Cafe, Mad Mac, and Richart Chocolates. Sample delicious cr�pes, caneles, and macarons at delightful pique-nique tables.
- Tastings! Sip delightful French wines from Beaujolais, accompanied by an array of delicious cheeses from President and Societe. Discover refreshing French summer cocktails created with Ricard, the anise-flavored pastis from Marseille.

- French art de vivre! Explore funky French gifts from Pylones, sensuous hair products from j.f. lazartigue, sumptuous bouquets from Ode a la Rose, and fantastic vacations from Atout France.

- Free performances! This year's open-air performances recreate the ambiance of a French bal populaire, featuring the wildly popular French can-can dancers who will return to the main stage for performances throughout the afternoon, as well as the spirited Hungry March Band, which will serenade New Yorkers with their jubilant music, drawing from a multitude of genres including New Orleans jazz, European brass, Roma classics, and the entire global community of NYC.

- Fabulous raffle prizes! Including a Grand Prize trip to the Beaujolais region in France courtesy of American Airlines and Discover Beaujolais; a Premier Prize getaway to New Orleans with airline tickets courtesy of Altour; and drawings throughout the day for additional prizes.

- Free family activities! Including a petanque contest for children; the Kids' Corner organized by the FIAF Language Center offering French-inspired games, storytelling, and arts and crafts; as well as an accordionist, a mime, and classic Citroen cars.

- Free French workshops! Brush up on your French with complimentary 30-minute workshops offered throughout the day.

Tastings
12pm to 4:30pm, FIAF, 22 East 60th Street
FIAF's popular Tastings return in 2012 with an even greater selection of fine French delicacies! Sample delectable wines from Beaujolais featuring the region's twelve appellations, including the ten celebrated crus, paired with an array of delicious French cheeses, courtesy of President and Societe Specialty Cheeses. Gourmands can treat themselves while pairing their wines with different cheese varieties, from Le Ch�telain Brie to Roquefort Societe! Cap it