Soulard Celebrates Its French Heritage at Bastille Days

It's not every day that I write about an event that features a mock beheading, but that's just the case with the Soulard Bastille Days celebration. The Soulard neighborhood near downtown St. Louis is proud of its French roots, and this weekend residents celebrate that history at the annual Bastille Days festival. The event begins Friday night with a parade and the previously mentioned mock beheading of King Louis and Queen Marie Antoinette (all in good fun of course). Then, there's a full day of activites on Saturday at Soulard Market Park. You can browse through dozens of booths sellling art, handmade jewelry, clothes and more. There is also live music and plenty of food and beer to keep you going.

Soulard Bastille Days

July 11

Parade - 6 p.m.
Russell & Menard

Mock Beheading - 7 p.m.
12th & Allen

July 12

Flea Market - 8 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Soulard Market Park

(Photo courtesy Will Woods, Getty Images)