If you’re into all things French, head out to the L’Enfant Café (2200 18th St NW) this Saturday for their high-energy Bastille Day Block Party.
Sure, you'll find block party staples like music and a beer garden, but L'Enfant will also throw acrobats, can-can dancers and a French maid’s race into the mix.
Guests can enjoy drinks at five street bars and nosh from food trucks such as D.C. Slices, Rito Loco and Pleasant Pops.
A French maid relay race will start at 6 p.m. L’Enfant will provide the necessary black-and-white dresses for its 40 competitors. Racers will have to fill a champagne glass with soupspoons of water by running back and forth across the street.
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“It’s got all of the fun and excitement of the Grand Prix, and none of the elegance,” said L’Enfant Café owner Jim Ball.
A masquerade street ball and a chance to win two round-trip tickets to Paris round out the day. The celebration runs from 3 to 11 p.m. Tickets are $6.
Schedule of events:
- 3 p.m.: Bastille Day Block Party opens
- 5 p.m.: Arrival of King Louis XIV
- 5:05 p.m.: Can-can dance performance on Stella Artois main stage
- 6 p.m.: French Maid Race on Vernon Street
- 6:30-8:30 p.m.: Burlesque performances
- 8:45 p.m.: Can-can dance performance on Stella Artois main stage
- 8:50 p.m.: Drawing for two round-trip economy class tickets from U.S. Airways
- 8:55 p.m.: Arrival of Queen Marie Antoinette and her courtiers
- 9 p.m.: D.C.'s largest annual masquerade ball
- 10:55 p.m.: Last dance
