NEW ROCHELLE, NY — In celebration of New Rochelle’s founding by French Huguenots 329 years ago, the New Rochelle Sister City Committee will present a Bastille Day ceremony on Friday, July 14 at 10 AM. The event will take place in front of City Hall. This French national holiday, recalling the storming of the king’s political prison, recognizes the French Revolution as a result of the lessons learned in the American Revolution and ideas in our Declaration of Independence.
The ceremony includes greetings by Mayor Noam Bramson, a short talk on sister city initiative programs by Committee Convener Peter A. Korn and a brief note on “Why We Celebrate Bastille Day” by Sheila Sarkar, Committee member. Celebrants and guests will witness the raising of the tri-color of the French Republic and join in singing, “La Marseillaise” and “The Star Spangled Banner”. A light reception in the Rotunda will take place immediately following the event.
On Saturday, July 15, the Downtown Business Improvement District will hold a special Bastille Day market on Library Green. French-style goods and products will be highlighted and berets will be given as long as supplies last. A musician playing French favorites will begin around 11 AM.
And on July 13-16, the New Rochelle Jazz Festival will bring a variety of artists to the downtown- at Jolo’s Restaurant on Thursday and Friday nights and at Ruby Dee Park at Library Green on Saturday and Sunday. Visit www.facebook.com/NewRochelleJazzFest for the full schedule.
The Bastille Day ceremony is presented by the Sister City Initiative, which seeks to deepen the 329-year bond of friendship between New Rochelle and La Rochelle, France.