French Fete in Piermont This Weekend

For a third time in as many years, Piermont is going French this July.

Bastille Day—slated for Saturday, July 14—will commandeer Piermont Avenue from noon to 10 p.m. and feature a parade, traditional eats and a reenactment of the storming of the Bastille.

And, as always, showing up in a period costume is recommended.

"More than anything, people are encouraged to dress up," said Laura Straus, owner or art gallery and member of the Piermont Business Council.

Straus said 18th century French-style hats and shirts—and bandoliers, for those with esprit de corps—will fit right in. Residents who don't have provisions in their closets can pick them up at the fete. 

"People can purchase things to get into action if they don't come fully dressed," Straus said.

Also on the calendar is live music, organized by the and slated for an outdoor stage. This year will feature dancing by local youngsters, as well.

"There's a group of girl who have been very active in ballet and performance arts, who will be performing can-can dancing in traditional French costumes," Straus said.

The event was pieced together by a coalition of local merchants on the Piermont Business Council.

"We just incorporated as a non-profit in the past weeks," said Straus. "You should expect to see a lot more from us in the future. The group is getting stronger, and there's a lot of positive energy."

Many merchants downtown will pitch in and fit Saturday's theme— and will offer appropriate eats, and Piermont Straus will host an exhibit for village resident Jana Kolpen, who recently penned a book situated in southern France.

In the Turning Point parking lot, there will be a pétanque tournament.

Bastille Day will overlap with the Piermont Fire Department's carnival, which is slated to run July 11 thru July 15 in Flywheel Park, and feature rides, games and fireworks.