2023 Bastille Day

Why Bastille Day?

Bastille Day is a fundraising event held by the City with the Sister City Commission to raise funds to support exchanges and communications with our Sister City, Neuilly-Plaisance, a suburb of Paris, France.  We named the event Bastille Day after their July 14 independence day celebration.

Are July 4th and Bastille Day Linked?

On October 17, 1781, at the Battle of Yorktown, the French Admiral de Grasse applied a successful naval blockade, denying aid and reinforcements to the surrounded forces of British General Cornwallis. The ensuing victory by Colonial forces under General George Washington, his subordinate General Lafayette, among others, and French forces under General Rochambeau, led to later victories in the war and eventually the signing of the 1783 Treaty of Paris, whereby Great Britain recognized the Colonies as a “free and independent nation.”  Without the aid of France, it is unlikely that either America or France would have Independence and Bastille Days to celebrate. With both of these historical events celebrated in our community within a timeframe of two weeks, the link between the two nations is noteworthy.

What is the purpose of this fundraiser?  What do the funds raised support?

Cultural, educational, governmental, and social exchanges facilitate the growth of friendships between the Montgomery residents and the residents of Neuilly-Plaisance.  Montgomery’s Bastille Day summer street festival is the fundraiser that supports theses exchanges with funding for transportation, meals, and entertainment for our French guests when we host them here about every three to five years.  The proceeds from the alcohol sales at Montgomery’s Bastille Day Celebration are the source of funds for the cultural exchanges between friends and governments in Neuilly-Plaisance and the City of Montgomery.