Mixes French History With Iconic Portland Activities
All day block party with local bands, 5k wine run, champagne sabering demo, a bicycle scavenger hunt, grape stomp and more on July 17 from 11 a.m. to midnight
Editor’s Note: Photographs available on request.
PORTLAND, Oregon (June 11, 2010) – Pix Pâtisserie owner Cheryl Wakerhauser loves to throw parties and Bastille Day is the perfect reason to unleash her creativity and whimsical spirit. For the 4th year, Cheryl will hold a block party in front of her N. Williams location with activities from a mini Médoc Fun Run with wines along the route to a Champagne and Oyster Bar, Carlton Farms roasted pig, Lompoc beer garden, live music from local bands Nice Nice and Dirty Mittens, and of course a giant Bastille Tower of cream puffs for guests to “storm.” Bastille Day kicks off at 11 a.m. on July 17, 2010 and the party continues until midnight. The day’s events are free but guests should bring two or more non-perishable food items to donate to Oregon Food Bank. For each item donated, guests will receive a raffle ticket for a chance to win one of 100 gift certificates to Portland’s best restaurants. The more donated food items, the more chances to win! For more details, visit www.pixpatisserie.com.
“Our Bastille Day Block Party is a community wide event we love to throw simply because our guests loves to come,” said Cheryl Wakerhauser, owner of Pix Pâtisserie. “It is a lot of work to organize, but at the end of the day it’s all worth it to see everyone having a fun time for a great cause. You can’t beat a summer night, confetti-filled street dance party like this!”
2010 BASTILLE DAY SCHEDULE OF EVENTS
11 a.m.
Mini Médoc Marathon Fun Run 5K
The Médoc Marathon is a 26.2 mile race that winds through over 50 chateaux in the famous wine region of Bordeaux. Water is acceptable, but there are also 22 “degustation” sites where participants are encouraged to partake in local wine tastings of Grand Cru vineyards. Pix will hold a Mini Médoc Marathon! During this 5K course through N/NE Portland, runners will have the opportunity to sample delicious wines. Unlike the Médoc Marathon, the winner will not receive their weight in wine at the finish. However, prizes will be marked on the bottom of random glasses at the tasting stops. And like the Médoc marathon, dressing in costume is a must! Best costume wins a $100 Pix Gift Certificate.
Entry Fee: 5 or more nonperishable food items
Runners must be 21+
E-mail name and phone number to pix@pixpatisserie.com to register. More info at www.marathondumedoc.com
Tour de Portland Bicycle Scavenger Hunt
This scavenger hunt starts at the SE Division Street Pix location and ends at the North Williams Pix. Teams may consist of 1-3 people. First team to bring the 30 items on the list to Pix North via bicycle wins a $100 Pix Gift Certificate!
Entry Fee: 10 or more nonperishable food items per team
Contestants must wear helmets.
E-mail pix@pixpatisserie.com to register with team name, team members, and a contact phone number.
12:00 p.m.
Macaron Madness!
Macarons are storming the US like the French stormed the Bastille! Join us for an hour of celebrating the whimsical and decadent French macaron – sample new flavors, learn macaron making tips, play the Macaron Grand Prize Game (remember The Bozo Show?) or participate in the cupcake stomp…you won’t want to miss this if you’re a macaron fan. And if you’re not, you will be soon!
12:50 p.m.
Storming of the Bastille
Kick off the festivities at the fun run and scavenger hunt finish line by attacking our replicated 4+ foot tall Bastille monument (known as the Colonne de Juillet in France) – made entirely of cream puffs!
1:00 p.m.
Mayor of Hooperville Hula Hoop Extravaganza
2:00 p.m.
Live Music: AgesandAges
2:45 p.m.
Learn to Saber!
At Pix we love a nice glass of bubbly. In fact, the North location has over 30 grower/producer Champagnes on offer. What’s more fun than drinking a bottle of bubbly? How about opening it by slicing the top off with a knife! Better yet, opening it with a wine glass! A sure fire way to impress your friends – just don’t hit them in the face with the cork! Safety first as we show you the secrets of sabering.
3:00 p.m.
Live Music: ioa
3:45 p.m.
Waiter Race
Run the obstacle course carrying a serving tray of drinks and food. Your customer’s in a hurry – how fast can you deliver? But don’t spill! Or you will lose points! Winner receives a Pix sweet treats gift box chock full of macarons, chocolates, Pix “Nutella” and more!
Entry Fee: 2 or more non-perishable food items. Limited to the first eight contestants to sign up at the party.
4:00 p.m.
Live Music: Dirty Mittens
5:00 p.m.
Live Music: TBA
5:45 p.m.
Grape Stomp
Back in the day wineries crushed grapes by stomping on them with bare feet. This custom is still practiced today in parts of Portugal in the making of Port. Test your stomping skills! Five teams of three will compete to see who can stomp the most juice out of 10 pounds of grapes in one minute. Winning team receives three $20 Pix Gift Certificates and all the grape juice they can make! Entry Fee: 3 or more non-perishable food items per team. Limited to the first five teams to sign up at the party.
6:00 p.m.
Live Music: Alan Singley and Pants Machine
7:00 p.m.
Live Music: Jared Mees and the Grown Children
8:00 p.m.
So You Think You Can Dance?
We’ll be the judge of that! Come on stage and strut your moves in our Dance Off competition. Winner (based on audience decision) wins a $100 Pix gift certificate! No pre-registration necessary.
8:30 p.m.
Live Music: TBA
9:30 p.m.
Live Music: Nice Nice
10:30 p.m.
Dance Party with DJ Erick Beats
About Pix Pâtisserie
Pix Pâtisserie has two locations in Portland’s SE and North neighborhoods offering elegant pastries, French macarons, and handmade chocolates and ice cream, as well as a wide selection of dessert wines, craft beers, fine spirits and Bubbly. The original Pix on SE Division opened in January 2002 and is adorned in yellow walls with comfy shoulder-to-shoulder seating. The North Williams location opened in 2005 and boasts a chocolate laboratory where customers can peek in on the mad scientists in the kitchen. With an upbeat fancy demeanor dotted with monkeys and fuzzy red wallpaper, the North Portland location offers Monday Movie Night and Sunday Tea. Don’t miss the Dessert Dim Sum night at SE Division and Concoct Yo’ Own Dessert. Pastry chef and restaurateur, Cheryl Wakerhauser trained at the Pâtisserie of MOF Philippe Urraca in Southern France. In 2001 she moved to Portland and set up shop at the Portland Farmer’s Market before opening her first pâtisserie. Pix Pâtisserie North, 3901 N. Williams Avenue, Portland; 503-282-6539; and 3402 SE Division St., Portland; 503-232-4407. www.pixpatisserie.com