Vive la Brooklyn! Biggest Bastille Day in U.S. comes to Smith Street
Thousands of Francophiles are expected to invade Smith Street in Boerum Hill this Sunday, July 15, for the biggest Bastille Day celebration in the U.S.
The tenth-annual festival of everything French will take over the north end of the street, with dining and music on Dean Street, from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. or later.
In an amazing transformation, Smith between Bergen and Pacific streets will be covered in sand, courtesy of John Quadrozzi Jr. of the Quadrozzi Concrete Company, and divided into courts for the international petanque tournament. Petanque is similar to bocce, but is played by throwing metal balls (boules) at a small wooden ball, or “pig” — usually while sipping a glass of pastis (Ricard’s anise-flavored French apéritif). This year, 64–70 teams with players from around the world will compete.