save carbon credits and frequent flyer miles by celebrating bastille day closer to home. photo by shawn [flickr] via our group pool [#]

Over the last eight years the prevalence of stateside celebrations of Bastille Day seems to have increased, with a possible liberal embrace to counterbalance “freedom fries” foreign policy mentalities buoying the holiday’s place in the hierarchy of US-observed niche holidays to somewhere above Casimir Pulaski Day and well below Cinco de Mayo. Though the infamous Parisian garrison held only seven political prisoners of modest importance when it was stormed in 1789 [wiki], don’t let that dampen your celebrations of revolution and liberty and all that as options abound locally.

• Starting at 3 pm and running until midnight, take Georgetown and the Corson Building by storm. The Adventure School has prepared an all-day fête, complete with live music from the Pharmacy (a Seattle homecoming), Schoolyard Heroes, and Caspar Babypants); family fun (chicken races! bouncehouse!), burlesque from the Atomic Bombshells, and delicious foods. $20, the Corson Building, 5609 Corson S. [theadventureschool]
• Campagne turns post alley into a block party with simple foods and cheap wines. [voracious]
• Le Pichet continues their annual tradition, celebrating with music from Absinthe Minded Professors & DJ Miss Broadway and classic Paris street foods. [lepichetseattle]
• Cafe Presse is always delightful, too.
• Though their event calendar shows nothing specific to commemorate their namesake neighborhood’s rise to fame, take any excuse to visit newly-opened Bastille in Ballard and dive into their mouth-wateringly great menu. With their high beamed ceilings, white tiles, cozy dark wood booths, and exceptional collection of decorative artifacts, stunningly chandeliered back bar, and expansive outdoor seating, they’ve created one of the most comfortable and aesthetically-pleasing spaces in the city. You won’t want to leave.