BrightestYoungThings: PHOTOS: Bastille Day French Maid Race Mania

All words and amazing photos: Mark Silva

Viva la Camp!

I almost forgot that yesterday, July 14th, was Bastille day and that L’Enfant Café, corner of Vernon Street and 18th Street, would be hosting its now infamous “French maid race”. In the past the race was conducted guerrilla style – Organized via word of mouth by cafe owner Jim Ball, racers waited for the light to change to red at the bottom of Vernon before starting the 2 minute race back and forth across the street. Arriving on the scene, I was a bit surprised at what it had grown into – sanctioned street blockage with VIP area for Vernon street Residents! Live DJ! A giant Absolut bottle! Sponsors! and Jim’s grand entrance on a Seg-way! Ooh La La!!

From experience – increased crowds equal increased chaos quotient. Holding court (and holding the day together) was Jim dressed as Louis XIV – period dress, bad wig, very bad French accent, and off color jokes - “Don’t worry! the maid costumes (donated by Pleasure Palace) have not been worn yet, so they are unstained!” or “Next raffle item a one million dollar gift certificate – I don’t care I am loosing my head tomorrow”.

The only criteria for selecting participants appeared to be whether or not they were wearing underpants - which Jim was more than happy to announce to the crowd. Ostensibly the object of the race is to fill a champagne glass sitting on the sidewalk by shuttling water back and forth across the street via soup spoon – but as Jim put it – “This is not a race! The object of this event is to show us your bum!, so bend over and show us your bum!” For the lucky few who managed to find a seat up front for the race, it was pure rockus, camp, delight!

(Race proceeds were donated to Make a Wish Foundation.)