Bonjour! As France celebrates their revolution across the Atlantic, Central Coast locals and tourists will be able to participate in the festivities of Bastille Day.

The 21st Annual French Festival in Santa Barbara will take place on the weekend of July 12 to 13, from 11 a.m. until 7 p.m. in Santa Barbara's Oak Park, at 300 W. Alamar Ave. Admission to the festival is free.

There will be dining on checkered tablecloths, wine toasts, beret-wearing artists lining the sidewalks, and music to complete the French atmosphere.

Chefs will prepare fine French cuisine, including such dishes as crepes, quiches, patés, fresh baked bread and cheese, and escargot. There will other styles of French-inspired food from French Indochina, New Orleans Cajun style treats, as well as decadent desserts and pastries.

There will be time to take in nonstop free entertainment that fills three stages. Moroccan bellydance, cancan, Tahitian dance, Django Reinhardt hot jazz, folkdance, opera and cabaret music in the style of Edith Piaf will be performed throughout the festival. Wandering mimes will dazzle audiences with their silent talents, as well as accordion players and troubadours mixed in with the crowds.

For a lighter take on La Cage aux Folles, the elaborately costumed Femme Fatales Drag Revue have a sensual and comic act to perform. In the show will be Marie Antoinette with her towering silver hair, pushing a guillotine while snaking on a piece of let-them-eat-cake and singing “Rien de Rien” by Edith Piaf.

Other talented performers you may find are BellaDonna in her lace shawls and platform boots, the purr-fect Miss Kitty, steamy Hazelnut Latte and Amber, the new Queen of Pride.

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The Femme Fatales will perform both Saturday and Sunday.

Those who have never been to Paris can still catch a glimpse of the Eiffel Tower, because there will be a grand, especially commissioned tower as the focal point of the festivities.

The 20th annual Poodle Parade will begin at 5:30 p.m. Sunday, July 13 - a chance for poodle lovers to see well-behaved pooches show off their costumes and tricks.

There will also be a drawing for a free trip for two to Paris or London.

Painters of the Impressionist movement will be reminiscent of Montmartre or Provence. Items for sale include handmade jewelry, berets, classic French posters, books and videos.

Children can have their faces painted or wade in the kid's pool, and watch the children's cancan performances.

This event is nonsmoking, so stash your cigarettes.

For more information on the Bastille Day Weekend, call 564-7274 or visit www.french festival.com.