San Francisco Bastille Day Celebration,July 15th, 2017 @ Justin Herman Plaza
ch...@veravistasolutions.com
PRESS RELEASE
For Immediate release: June 20, 2017
Contact: Chloe Soroquere - ch...@veravistasolutions.com - 415-317-0820
Don’t miss the San Francisco Bastille Day Kermesse and Bal Populaire celebration at Justin Herman PLAZA!
Join us July 15th, 2017 to celebrate the 239 year-long French-American friendship while enjoying fabulous foods and wines!
San Francisco, CA, June 20, 2017: The very first San Francisco Bastille Day celebration took place in 1889, and this year -128 years later - the Official Committee of French-American Organizations of northern California is planning a grand Bastille Day celebration with a Kermesse (outdoor festival) followed by a Bal Populaire (fireman’s ball) a la Française. The event will open at 11 am and run till 8 pm on Saturday July 15th at Justin Herman Plaza, on the Embarcadero.
The free admission event, organized under the patronage of the Consul General of France in San Francisco, Emmanuel Lebrun-Damiens and with San Francisco’s Mayor Edwin M. Lee as Honorary Chair, is open to all French and American residents and visitors of the Bay Area to enjoy over 40 French establishments, food and wine booths, a Citroen vintage car show, games of “Pétanque” and all kinds of fun for the family!
The day’s activities will culminate at 6 pm with the excitement of a “Bal Populaire” featuring local French-American bands, including SonoMusette, mid-20th century Paris music, Rue’66, San Francisco’s only authentic 60s French “yé yé” band, and The FaspTones, a French Rock & Roll band. The Bastille Day celebration is expected to draw-up a few thousand visitors throughout the day!
We invite you to discover the amazing French companies, culinary delights, wine, and other beverage providers that will partake in this wonderful celebration by going to our website: www.bastilledaysf.org.
Some of the more popular brands include: Fabrique Delices, Goudy French Cuisine, Chantal Guillon Macaron, le P’tit Laurent, La Flamme, Petit Pot and many more. Several Bay Area “Alliance Française” and other French organizations will also be exhibiting.
French-American friendship spans 239 years, starting with the 1778 treaty and military support in the American Revolutionary War when France became the first ally of the new United States. The French were on the ground early in California. The first French immigrant recorded is Jean-Louis Vignes, who came from Bordeaux and started a vineyard near Los Angeles in 1831. As early as the Spring of 1850, the French were operating stores, restaurants, and hotels on Clay street, in the old business section. In July of the same year, Mr. Dilion arrived as the first French consul in San Francisco. There was a French newspaper, "L'Echo du Pacifique," as early as 1852. They even built the first railroad in San Francisco, a steam line, which ran from the bay to the Mission Dolores! As mentioned, the first San Francisco Bastille Day celebration took place in 1889. San Francisco was often referred to as "The Paris of America." Some may remember the “City of Paris” store where Neiman Marcus now stands. The first HMO was the French Hospital which opened in 1851 and aided all San Franciscans regardless of citizenship; it is now known as Kaiser’s French campus on Geary. The French have certainly left a noticeable and enduring impression upon San Francisco’s first century of history.
As San Francisco celebrated yet another grand Bastille Day in 1897, Mayor James D. Phelan spoke as follows:“Ladies and gentlemen: San Francisco is one of the most cosmopolitan cities in the world, and from the very beginning its French population has been conspicuous in its development. Their love of the Republic, their enthusiasm for freedom, their artistic tastes and accomplishments have contributed to the up-building of the City and the strength of the State. The character of California's soil and climate, resembling-France, makes them feel at home, and has wedded them with ties of love and affection to the Golden State. This is the French national holiday, and its significance is in full accord with the principles that underlie the structure of the American Government. America celebrates the 4th of July; France, a few days later, the 14th. The one following the other is more than a coincidence— it is a consequence […]” – Pronounced 120 years ago, these words still resonate today.
The San Francisco Bay Area French population is still a significant part of the Bay Area life and economy. The French national holiday, July 14, serves to illustrate the solidarity of the French colony in San Francisco and it is a great opportunity to celebrate the great values France and America share: Liberty, Fraternity, Equality!
Please join us on July 15th at Justin Herman Plaza and spread the word about this memorable celebration! For more information and a complete list of participants and activities, go to: www.bastilledaysf.org.
About the Official Committee of French -American Organizations:
The Official Committee brings together the French language and culture associations of San Francisco and the Bay Area. Its main purpose is to organize and sponsor the July 14 celebration in San Francisco, to participate in all local French events and to welcome French dignitaries visiting the Bay Area. It brings together over 60 French and Francophile associations of the region. It embodies the role played by our compatriots in the development of San Francisco since the middle of the last century, and contributes to the continuation of close and friendly relations between the City-by-the-Bay and France. Check-out our website for more information: www.comite-officiel.org.
Principal
Vera Vista Solutions
ch...@veravistasolutions.com
415-317-0820 - Cell
San Francisco, CA
www.veravistasolutions.com