July 1st, July 4th, July 14th.

[luckyluc]

Canada, the USA and France all have their National Day in July.

How do you celebrate your country birthday?

Have you been to a 14th of July party, in France or abroad?

Let's share.

[Becky (Berkeleytravelers)]

In San Francisco there is a short street called Belden Alley which has some French restaurants, and they usually (I assume will this year as well) make a big fuss about July 14.

On July 4 there will be fireworks displays in many areas. Since Berkeley is on the San Francisco Bay, and I have a three story house, I can (sort of) see some of the displays (if it isn't foggy -- which is not unusual in "summer" here) by really craning my neck from an upstairs window. Often, people will walk down to the areas nearer the water (whether here, or in SF, or in other towns around the bay) to watch the displays. Many people have picnics, or cook hamburgers or steaks on the grill at home, and there are always baseball games (for those who indulge).

[luckyluc]

Ok I will start! This weekend on July 1st we will celebrate Canada Day.

We live in a small Edwardian house, downtown Ottawa only 15 minutes walk from our parliament. That make us very popular with our families and friends who like to catch the changing of the guard, the music shows and of course the spectacular fireworks over the Ottawa river, which is just at the end of our street. We will with pleasure make a BBQ for all.

And on Monday, a statuary holiday, like most people we will go to the cottage for a swim in a cold lake.

We also like to celebrate July 14th surrounded by French people. In Ottawa that is easy since the France ambassador always give a garden party to give a chance for his compatriotes to celebrate and exchange.

[sistereurope]

So Luc...what you're saying is that you have TWO excuses to party, correct? ;D

[luckyluc]

Ah! Soeur d'Europe, vous avez tout compris!

[geordy]

There are usually several July14 celebrations here in NYC mostly sponsored by the many French restaurants. Many of them have a $17.89 prix fixe menu July 4 -14.

The Alliance Francais/French Institute usually sponsors a 3 block long street fair on the Sunday closest to the 14th. I think they did not last year because they were renovating their space. Years ago it was grand....music, Louis 16 and MA skits, both national anthems played, waiter races for actual waiters, children, and amateurs!, and plenty of French food and wine. Then a certain Mayor (who now wants to run for President!!! ) stopped issuing permits for alcohol at street fairs.
It really hasn't been the same since.
Also events in the trendy "meatpacking" district. One of the first restaurants there Florent usually has an event including a MA look alike contest !! And more in the Village, usually a street closed for a petanque competition btw the staffs of various French restaurants.

On the 4th there is the giant , and nationally televised, Macy's Fireworks Display over the Hudson or East River(they tend to alternate) Another one down by the Statue of Liberty/Seaport/Brooklyn Bridge and plenty others!! Plus street fairs(sans booze) etc.

I would generally go out to New Jersey for the backyard hotdogs, hamburgers on the grill with family but since it falls on a Wednesday I think I'll probably just stay in the City and maybe take a picnic to the park or convince my friend who lives in an Upper West side townhouse apartment with a backyard garden to have a gathering! ;D

[sistereurope]

Wow geordy you win the celebration contest! We don't have any celebrations for the 14th around here (perhaps in DC?)...on the 4th we go to downtown Baltimore to our favorite pub and watch the fireworks from across the Baltimore harbor...then we go back to the pub and drink another beer. Sort of a nod to our British ancestors

[goldenmama]

This is the first year in my life that I will be out of the USA on the 4th of July! That's ok, though, because it gets me out of making about 10 side dishes!

[Shoesy]

Israeli Independence Day, like all our holidays, goes according to the Jewish calendar, and it takes place some time between the end of April to the beginning of May. On the eve of the holiday there are many local outdoor celebrations consisting of singing and dancing, quite often performed by schoolkids. In large cities professionals are usually hired to perform. At the end of these lively performances there are fireworks. After that people may go to a party - quite often a barbecue - and it can continue 'till the morning. The next day people have barbecues with their friends or families. In addition, there are many police and military exhibitions that take place throughout the country.

At this point I'd like to add the fact that our Independence Day immediately follows our Memorial Day, so the transition is very sharp from a very sad day to a very festive one. It's definitely not easy for all the families who have lost love ones during the various wars and military operations.

[arrowcapet]

luckyluc said:

Have you been to a 14th of July party, in France or abroad?

My fondest memory of La Jour de la Bastille was actually on the Bicentenaire in 1989. I was fortunate enough to be there on the 14th and got to see the parade, the tight-rope walker walk across the Seine from Palais de Chaillot to La Tour, and the entire celebration. I "acquired" all kinds of keepsakes, including the pamphlets that were handed out on the grandstands on the Champs Elysees with the music and words to La Marseillaise, some little blue, white and red lights that everyone had, and a huge bag of confetti. Of course, lots and lots of memories. And at our hotel, when we checked-in, there was a copy of the Droits de l'homme et du Citoyens on our beds, which I have since had framed and it now hangs where all (who give a hoot) can enjoy it. It was quite an outstanding day.

This year, I will be holding a wine tasting at my restaurant featuring all French wines and French food and the whole place will be decked-out in bleu, blanc et rouge and it should be a pretty good time.

[Shoesy]

I'm very impressed, Arrow.

[annettecinca]

We usually host a BBQ/swim party on July 4th, then head down to our local university to continue the party on the grass inside the stadium while awaiting the fireworks show (preceeded by a few dozen skydivers, a military flyover, bands, etc.).

I've never heard of any Bastille Day festivities in my area, but I usually "celebrate" by watching the fireworks at the Eiffel Tower online. Not as spectacular as being there, but it does send a shiver up my spine! www.paris-live.com/paris_webcam/eiffel_tower_webcams.htm

[Ray(aka) tripnebraska]

We send Canada Day cards to our Daughter and son in law in Toronto for the 1st.
Go to a friends home on a lake, lay in the pool, take a boat ride, and watch fireworks on the 4th.
This year I think I will open a bottle of French Red, and toast the 14th.

[geordy]

Yes I must say NYC is a good place to be a Francophile!!
So many French companies have stores/offices here so there are alot of French and alot of French "things"!

Some of you might plan your visits here for around Bastille Day!! But a warning..everytime I've gone to the AF/FI event it has been a particularly HOT and HUMID day!

[Becky (Berkeleytravelers)]

Okay, everyone -- let's all raise our glasses to Canada! 1, 2, 3, . . . go! ;D

[luckyluc]

Merci Becky, we are have a great day, even if the weather is a bit on the cold side for July! 18 Celsius, but Hee we do have sweaters for everyone...

This morning we had the Canadians Snow Birds planes flying over our house since we are a short walk from Parlement, and the 22 canons salute to the vice-queen always make my dining room server shake, but beside that everything is grand!

[geordy]

Sorry I got here late (computer problems! ) But now I can say...HAVE A GLORIOUS Day!!

[aude]

Geordy, you make me want to relocate to NYC!
Arrow-the-magnificent, what a wonderful day to remember. Wow.

This thread is a great idea! You guys have taught me about some holidays and traditions.

On July 4, we'll get up early and run the Peachtree Road Race with 50,000 of our closest pals. For everyone except the elite runners at the front, it's more like a moving party than a race -- lots of crazy characters and fun antics along the way. Then we'll go for brunch at the home of some friends who live near the finish line. In the evening we'll wear our race t-shirts and have cookout in our backyard with some neighbors and friends: burgers, baked beans, cole slaw, star shaped sugar cookies, homemade peach ice cream. All this will be accompanied by that classic American drink, the margarita!! After dark we'll be able to watch the fireworks display (in the distance) from our deck. Then we'll collapse from exhaustion!

[Roniece]

oh Aude! Can I come and join you?? star shaped sugar cookies and homemade peach ice cream!! I will bring some prawns to throw on the barbie how's that?

Roniece

[geordy]

I've only spent one July 14th in Paris but it was a dandy!

1998 .the year France won the World Cup in Paris! Arrived the morning after France qualified to play Brazil in the final. The city was electric (well even more so) Now being an American soccer as we call it was not on my top 10(or any number) list. Made plans to go because the 14th is S/O's B'day and the Three Tenors were doing a concert at the Eiffel Tower! Luckily made the plans early as I'm sure hotel space was scarce!!

Concert was Friday nite,,,spectacular! Months later it was broadcast on PBS , couldn't find us in the crowd! ;D Have the CD which of course brings back all those memories!

Saturday nite was the match for 3rd place. We were at the Opera for a ballet.

Then Sunday ..the big Match. We watched the 1st half at the Hotel de Ville big screen. I can not begin to describe what it was like!! Walked back to the hotel during halftime..the game on TV's in all the cafes, crowds everywhere, wine everywhere!!

When France won....we could see the top of the Arc de Triumph from our hotel balcony.. lit up with the news and score and players names!

Monday was the "parade" for the team...actually just the team and the trophy on open top bus! But oh the crowds on the Champs!!

Next day, the 14th, back there for that Parade!! And oh all the fireworks, after the concert, after the matches, on the 14th!!

I got a World Cup Sweatshirt, a little candy tin with the team picture on it, and a special World Cup Champagne bottle(drank the champagne, well actually quite a bit of it during the trip! .

When I got back to work people were saying My God you were at the epicenter of the Universe ! It certainly felt like it!