Brooklyn Bastille Day 2009 -- Great Day, Big Crowds

Brooklyn celebrated Bastille Day Sunday on Smith Street and it seemed like half of France was there.

Petanque players had an extra set of sand-covered courts to play on this year. The sand was delivered to Smith Street by John Quadrozzi's cement company.

Competitors throw metal balls (boules), trying to get close to a little ball called a "pig" (cochonnet).

There were 80 teams competing this year, some top notch, others just out for fun.

Sometimes it came down to a millimeter. Then the measuring tape was pulled out.

Though the crowd was huge, there was plenty of food and drink. Bar Tabac is a major sponsor (along with Robin des Bois and Ricard).

There were shady tents to eat under, talk and listen to music.

Spectators gathered at the north end of Smith Street to watch the dare-devil skateboarding competition, now in its third year, courtesy of the Homage skateboarding shop.

More great photos at the Pardon Me For Asking blog.

- Bastille Day 2009 in Brooklyn
- Bastille Day in Brooklyn: The French Conquer Smith Street
- Brooklyn's Bastille Day: Smith Street, Sunday
- Bastille Day in Brooklyn -- La Rue de Smith Sautait!

Photos by MK Metz
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