Les Halles News and Events
Liberty Festival July 14, 2006
Summertime in New York means outdoor fun, parties, and barbeque food. Brasserie Les Halles Bastille Races and festivities have now become an annual summer tradition of family and fun. This is our 8th annual Liberty Festival, and the fourth to take place on John Street. After an extremely successful event last July, Les Halles brings back the Liberty Festival and Bastille Races, the summer celebration in the heart of Manhattan's Financial District. "The Liberty Festival amplifies the vibrant spirit of downtown New York," notes Philippe Lajaunie, proprietor of the Les Halles brasseries. Les Halles Downtown will be celebrating the most important dates in the U.S. and France — the 4th of July, America's Independence Day, and the 14th of July, Bastille Day.

This year, Liberty Festival featured: live music from The Will Holshouser band, can-can dancers, Lady Liberty, Marie Antoinette, our very own Les Halles Cow, food and drinks, and of course our famous Bastille Races. Festival goers line the race course to cheer on the contestants, and enjoy the often hilarious anticsof these unique games. In the Waiter's/Waitress' Race, restaurant wait-staff from all over the city speed-walked the race course balancing a tray with a bottle and a wine glass on one hand. This year, Monica Gross was the winner of the Waiter's Race, despite Canadian TV personality Bob Blumer crossing the finish line first. The suggested entry fee for all races was $10, with all proceeds going to benefit Best Buddies Charity. Best Buddies is a not-for profit organization dedicated to enhancing the lives of people with intellectual disabilities by providing opportunities for one-to-one friendships and integrated employment. So if you missed us this year, please join us for next year!

"The Waiter's Race has been so popular, that we created more races so kids, and customers could participate," — PHILIPPE LAJAUNIE

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