2008 Portland's Bastille Festival in the Pearl

Jamison Square Park
Saturday, July 12, 2008
11 a.m. - 6 p.m.
Free and open to the public

French wine, cuisine, art and sport; Portland Waiters Race, pétanque exhibitions and French music provided by Carol Rossio, Eric John Kaiser and more

The Portland Bastille Day Committee, with the support of major sponsors US Bank, Hoyt Realty Group, AXA Financial Group, the Alliance Française and others, will host the Annual Bastille Day Festival at Jamison Square Park (in the Pearl District between NW 11th Ave, NW 12th Ave and NW Johnson St.) on Saturday, July 12 from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. The annual festival - which is held in cities all around the world - celebrates the storming of the Bastille Prison on July 14, 1789.

The 2007 event was among the largest such festivals on the West Coast, and hosted more than 5,000 visitors throughout the day. This year's festival will feature a variety of vendors and organizations offering French wine, cuisine, music, art and sport. Main events include the Portland Waiters Race, pétanque exhibitions organized by the Portland Pétanque Club, and several styles of French music.

The Waiters Race will pit waiters and waitresses from local area restaurants in a one-mile speed-walking race while participants carry a serving tray with beverages; cash prizes will be awarded to three winners in each division. Main stage acts will include café jazz vocalist Carol Rossio (www.carolrossio.com); Portland's French Troubadour Eric John Kaiser (www.ericjohnkaiser.com) and the Eric John Kaiser Trio; and others.