Bastille Days

Bastille Days is located around Cathedral Square in downtown Milwaukee. The French fest is more like a street fair than the other ethnic fests located on Maier Festival Grounds. It has a much more open and inclusive feeling than the more family reunion-like Scottish and Polish fests.

Bastille Days is free and lasts from Thursday through Sunday. Parking on Milwaukee's Eastside is never easy, and the drive around for this event is most like looking for a spot for a Cubs game. It was a perfect summer evening, so the extra walk was not a problem. Hint for next year: It appears that Lincoln Center of the Arts Middle School has a legal or semi-legal (city-dwellers will understand this term) lot six blocks to the north of the festival.

The late afternoon - early evening entertainment was passable, and the libation options were plentiful. This fest, however, is all about the street performers and people watching. Our festing at Bastille Days was overall excellent, and a nice break from the Summerfest grounds.

Ratings:

Entertainment is a George. We spent most of our time with a James Taylor-esque two-man performance on the east stage. Our tour through saw a medley-riddled cover band, belly dancers and various street performers. A street chalk artist's progress was cool to watch, as it was conveniently located directly between the bar and port-a-potties.
Drink is Lakefront Local Acre. We took advantage of an excellent Happy Hour offering of $3 Blue Moons. There was a wide variety of wine and cocktails, as well as the very ordinary Miller products for $5.25
Food is Ham and Swiss on Rye. Actually, to be exact Ham and Camembert on a Baguette. Slightly French, but not all that interesting.
Cost is Free!
Bathrooms are a McGillicuddy's. Port-a-potties had some lines by 8pm, must get worse as the Chablis adds up.
Adult vs. Family Fun spectrum is Disney.

Ratings

Entertainment is on the Beatles Scale from Ringo to John. Ringo is fun, however not terribly engaging and cannot stand alone as single act. George shows glimpses of brilliance, however is relegated as a supporting feature. Paul is excellent, great for singing along and definitely worth the price of admission. John is the greatest ever.

Drink is based on the Beer Scale from Miller Lite to Guinness. Miller Lite is okay in a pinch, but almost anything else would be better. Bud Light is good, ordinary and passable. Lakefront Local Acre is excellent, intriguing, and an excellent surprise. Guinness is classic greatness that stands the test of time.

Food is based on the Sandwich Scale from Bologna on white bread, boring; Ham and Swiss on rye, ordinary; Jimmy Johns delivered, amazing; to Italian combo with sweet and hot peppers, stuff of legend.

Cost will report the costs of admission, beer, and access to discounts.

Bathrooms will be on the Public Bathroom Comparison Scale from State Street BW3, strangely disgusting; McGillicuddy’s, long lines; Trinity, clean and available; and finally, Das Old German Beer Hall, strangely entertaining.

The Family Friendly vs. Adult Fun Spectrum will go from Fantasea Dolphin Show at the Shedd Aquarium, to Disney World, to Vegas, to Stanley Kubrick Movie.