Frenchmen, Francophiles and mimes around the world will come together on Wednesday, July 14th to celebrate that most sacred of French holidays, Bastille Day.  This holiday commemorates the 1789 storming of the Bastille fortress in Paris, which symbolizes an important step during the French Revolution.  And while Parisians will celebrate their triumph on the Champs-Élysées, Dallas-area inhabitants need only travel as far as Oak Cliff.

Hosted by community blog Go Oak Cliff and local restaurants, Bastille on Bishop will feature crepe stands, a vespa rally, pétanque games and a mussels competition.  Chefs from Meddlesome Moth, Smoke, Park, Bolsa and more will go head to head in a street cook off sure to inspire loser-gets-the-guillotine jokes in bad French accents. Wash down the food and engage the French maids with wine and Kronenbourg 1664 beer.

When: Wednesday, July 14th from 6-10 p.m.

Where: North Bishop Ave. between 7th and 8th streets; Bishop Arts District, Dallas

Why: Food, drinks and berets.  And proceeds will benefit the Alliance Francaise, a nonprofit French cultural and learning center.

Kevin Gray is the Dallas Drinks Examiner for Examiner.com.  A freelance journalist, as well as a food and drink fanatic,  Gray is also the Editor of Cocktail Enthusiast, an exploration of cocktails, spirits, mixology and drinking culture. The website focuses on both classic cocktails and modern innovations,  providing cocktail recipes, liquor reviews and drinking news.  Read his most recent articles over at Dallas Drinks Examiner.