Record heat did not keep hundreds of revelers from celebrating Bastille Day in downtown Covington Saturday night. Lee Lane and North Columbia Street were closed to automobile traffic during the event and a Waiter’s Race kicked off the event.

“Next year, they must register in Paris to be part of the official race in France as well,” said French Consul General Olivier Brochenin. Brochenin and his family were on hand for the celebration and he presented winning waiter Christopher Reed of Restaurant Etoile with his first place prize.

Brochenin received a key to the city from Pam Keller, Economic Development Director, and a proclamation from Kevin Davis, presented by St. Tammany Art Association spokesperson Meghan Garcia naming July 12 the official Bastille Day celebration.

Christopher Reed, representing Restaurant Etoile, crosses the finish line at the Bastille Day Waiter'€™s Race. (Staff Photo by Debbie Glover)

Brochenin, his wife Rena and their three children, Raphael, Alexandre and Benjamin were on hand for the celebration and thought the city was “charming.”

They also seemed unaffected by the heat that forced many to fan themselves and dive into shops and galleries to escape the heat.

The Waiter’s Race is an old tradition in France and was part of Bastille Day celebrations in New Orleans for many years. Not only do the waiter’s race to the finish line carrying a tray with a pitcher of water and a glass of water, they must also have most of the water still in their places. The first such race in Covington saw Reed as first place winner, receiving $125; second place went to Shannon Miller of Morton’s Restaurant, $50 prize; and third place was Steve Ahrons of the Columbia Tap Room, $25 prize.

The winning restaurant also received an original painting by Covington artist Suzanne King depicting three waiters. King also designed hand held fans, listing the event sponsors on one side and an original painting on the opposite side. The Lautrec-inspired French dancer was seen flitting back and forth throughout the area as visitors used the complimentary fans to help keep cool.

Gallery openings, a silent French film showing at Haik Park and several shops were open late for the celebration. As with many gallery opening events, complimentary refreshments were given freely, including water, soft drinks and wine.

The St. Tammany Art Association held a juried art competition in conjunction with the event. Winner of the Best In Show $1,000 award was Mary Anderson. The $1,000 Trudy Williamson award went to Shirley Rabe Masinter. Seventeen artists from throughout the state entered the competition.

Other gallery openings included Brunner Gallery’s “Art Chaud” exhibit featuring sculpture by Destiny Allison and collage paintings by Arless Day; Fort Isabel Gallery’s “Ooh La, La…Menage a Huit” by their resident artists; Arts and Frames Gallery’s resident artists exhibitions in a variety of media; Spectrum Gallery, Le Magasin and Art on Columbia’s resident’s works; and “Painted Ladies” in Sarah Dunn Art on Boston Street.

Sponsors of the event included St. Tammany Homestead, where the waiter’s race ended; the Covington Association of Retailers; St. Tammany Art Association, and the City of Covington.