New Orleans has been influenced by French culture for centuries. This Saturday, July 14, the city pays tribute to its “mother country” by celebrating the French national day, Bastille Day. This year marks the 223rd anniversary of the storming of the Bastille during the French Revolution, and it will be celebrated at the annual block party in Mid-City on the 3100 block of Ponce de Leon St. between Esplanade and N. Lopez.

The celebration is hosted by the French Consulate of New Orleans and is sponsored by various organizations from the city, including the Faubourg St. John Merchants Association. Local artists, restaurants and businesses such as Cafe Degas, Maple Street Book Stores, Swirl Wines, and others will be featured at the block party. And like any New Orleans event, there will be live music featuring Zazou City, Ukelele Jake, and Creole String Beans to end the night. “La Marseillaise,” the French National Anthem, will be sung by Cindy Scott.

The event goes from 5 to 9 p.m. and is free to attend and open to all ages. There will be an arts market and kids’ table, as well as food, drink, and dancing in the street.