Milwaukee's annual Bastille Days festival returns with 4 days of French culture, food and entertainment

MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- The 42nd annual Bastille Days festival is taking over Cathedral Square this weekend. Milwaukee is home to the largest French festival in the country. 

With the popular Eiffel Tower as a backdrop, it's a little slice of Paris right in Milwaukee. 

"It's really a festival for the community. A lot of deep French roots are in Milwaukee, and we really try to build that into all aspects of this free, community festival," said Eddie Sturkey, the executive director of East Town Association. “Can Cans be back, they'll be playing all weekend. We have street performers.”

Whether you come for the crepes and beignets or the annual 5K run/walk Storm the Bastille, there will be plenty of entertainment and French fun to stay for. 

"Alliance Francaise, one of our closest partners, they're the one making everyone's favorite beignets. This is the biggest fundraiser for them as well. So come down, register for Storm [the Bastille] and grab a beignet on your way in or your way out," said Sturkey. 

Storm the Bastille starts at 9 p.m. Thursday. The four-day festival is free to enter.