It’s one of our favorite events of the year, and it takes place next Friday, July 11.
We speak, of course, of the annual Let Them Eat Art festival, now in its ninth year. It's Maplewood's whimsical tribute to Bastille Day, an evening that falls on a continuum “somewhere between Mardi Gras and the Christmas Tree walk.”
The event consists of a self-guided art demonstration and fair conducted on the streets of Maplewood (primarily along Manchester and Sutton avenues) with full-on participation from the city’s shops and restaurants, two top-notch bands on the main stage, plus a slew of other entertainers.
Want a taste?
- Pie Oh My! will be serving French-inspired treats like pear/blueberry galettes.
- Strange Donuts will have Gooey Butter and French Toast donuts, plus Apple Brie Fritters.
- Stone Spiral Coffee & Curios will offer an amuse-bouche of vichyssoise, then follow with a French Rosé tasting that will feature different rosé styles from three regions of France.
- Penzey’s Spices will hand out complimentary samples of Penzey’s BBQ seasoning.
- Home Wine Kitchen will offer bacon-balsamic caramel corn.
- Newcomer A Pizza Story will dole out pasta salad with smoked salmon, capers, and olives; bomboloni and tiramisu; plus sangria, Italian margaritas, and beer.
- Kakao will conduct chocolate tastings and chocolate-making demonstrations of Kakao's award-winning chocolate.
- And don’t miss Water Street’s boozy push pops in seasonal fruit flavors, sold streetside.
Want a peek?
This year, according to Maplewood Community Develpoment Director Rachelle L’Ecuyer, there will be 80 venues/activities and 43 artists—more than any other year. Click here for the full list of artists and their bios.
Want a listen?
There are more than 15 bands scheduled to play throughout the evening, with Vote for Pedro performing on the Sutton Main Stage from 6 to 8 p.m. and Joe Dirt and the Dirty Boys following from 9 to 11 p.m.
Want more?
There are dream interpreters, jugglers, magicians, top spinners, face painters, and dance performances by the STL Hoop Club, all listed here.
The raucous, family-friendly—and free—party happens next Friday from 6 to 11 p.m. For more information, visit the City of Maplewood’s website.
