Here’s a fun promotion that landed in my inbox recently. I’m totally in for the French Cocktail Hour idea  – and there’s also a chance to win a trip to France. Check it out:

We should all take a page out of the French party handbook. What other country would have a government agency, the French Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries, come up with an official French Cocktail Hour (FCH) day celebrated in 19 countries and 28 cities around the world to promote French products! For the last 6 years, the first Thursday in June has been used by many as a reason to indulge their French appetites in what is known as French Cocktail Hour or Apéritif à la Française as the French would say. This year FCH is going to the extreme, producing the largest cross-country celebration with no less than 1,000 “Do-It-Yourself” house parties all on the same night, June 4th, 2009. That’s 1,000 hosts in cities across America supplied with enough French goodies to keep their 17,500 guests partying till sunrise.

How can I be a part of FCH: The House Party Edition you ask? Well, Francophiles everywhere can now apply and register to be one of the 1,000 FCH party hosts by visiting the House Party website at www.houseparty.com/FrenchCocktailHour. Once selected, each host will receive a complete FCH Party Pack in the mail stuffed with:

• Streamers, napkins, tri-colored garland, stars
• Brochures with tips on how to throw the best FCH parties ever
• French music CDs, aprons, magnets, corkscrews
• Coupons from participating retailers www.igourmet.com and Sam’s Wine & Spirits

Plus, (and this is the clincher!) one FCH host will win a trip for two to France and so will one party guest, courtesy of the French Government Tourist Office. And, to make it a totally interactive experience, each house party will have their own party page to post pictures, party tips, stories and videos before, during and after their parties that will also be streamlined on the national party page at www.houseparty.com/FrenchCocktailHour for all eyes to see.

Finally, FCH the way it should be—at home with family and friends enjoying all things French. To get a head start on the wine list for the evening’s event, check out our wine sponsor’s website at www.pasternakwine.com and look for Château d’Aussières wines from Pasternak Wine Imports.

For more information on FCH visit www.frenchcocktailhourusa.com and to become an official FCH host, log on to www.houseparty.com/FrenchCocktailHour for details.