2,000 Tastykakes will fly through the air at Eastern State Penitentiary

Now that’s how you toss a Tastykake. / Eastern State Penitentiary

Marie Antoinette most likely wasn’t talking about Tastykakes with “let them eat cake” — but, then again, she wasn’t from Philly. Celebrate Bastille Day July 12 at Eastern State Penitentiary, where 2,000 Tastykakes will be flung from the prison’s towers.

Experimental cabaret troupe The Bearded Ladies are providing the Bastille Day entertainment, reenacting the French Revolution — and storming the prison — dressed up as Edith Piaf, Napoleon, Joan of Arc and a life-size French Baquette. As always, Terry McNally, co-owner of London Grill and Paris Wine Bar, will play Marie Antoinette.

Props for the free event include confetti cannons, stilts and a real guillotine for the fake beheading. Or spring for VIP seating ($40), which includes beer, soda, bottled water and, according to Eastern State, “heckling from the lower classes, and a revolution goodie bag.”

Afterward, the penitentiary-turned-museum will stay open late for twilight tours.

If you go:
Saturday, July 12
5:30-6:30 p.m.
The Tastykake toss will take place around 6:15 p.m.
Eastern State Penitentiary
2027 Fairmount Ave.