Cantigny celebrates founder’s love for France

With crepes, wine, and even a replica of the Eiffel Tower, Cantigny Park brought a touch of France to its Wheaton grounds Sunday.

It was all part of French Connection Day, the fourth annual celebration of Cantigny founder Robert McCormick’s personal ties to France.

Hundreds of visitors strolled through the park Sunday afternoon, shopping in the French-style open-air market, enjoying a beverage in the beer garden or taking pictures of one of the “street performers,” including a juggler on stilts.

“I’m delighted with the turnout,” said Laura Evans, Cantigny’s director of visitor services. “It’s a beautiful day outside and everybody appears to be enjoying their visit.”

McCormick fought with the First Division Infantry in France during World War I at the Battle of Cantigny. The experience was so important to McCormick that he later renamed his Wheaton estate after the French town.

Evans said the Cantigny staff created French Connection Day as a way to honor McCormick’s feelings about France and introduce people to the park. She said roughly 4,000 people were expected to visit over the course of the day.

Cindy Tomczak of Lisle was one of the dozens of people waiting in line to try something from Suzette’s Creperie, a French restaurant in downtown Wheaton.

“How could I come to a French event here and not have a crepe?” she said with a smile.

Alyssa Templeton of Wheaton brought her two young children to Cantigny Sunday. She watched as they go their faces painted inside the children’s tent.

“It’s such a nice day, and this seemed like a great way to enjoy it,” she said. Then she added, “I hope my husband and I get a chance to taste some great wine later.”