FĂȘte
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In the United Kingdom and some of its former colonies, a fĂȘte or fete is a public festival organised to raise money for a charity, typically held outdoors. It generally includes entertainment and the sale of goods and refreshments.[1] FĂȘtes are typically held annually, in the summer months.
Village fĂȘtes
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Village fĂȘtes are common in Britain. These are usually outdoor shows held on village greens or recreation grounds with a variety of activities. They are organised by an ad hoc committee of volunteers from organisations like religious groups or residents' associations. FĂȘtes can also be seen in former British colonies. In Australia, fĂȘtes are often held yearly by schools and sometimes churches to raise funds.
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Attractions seen at village fĂȘtes include tombolas, raffles, bowling for a pig, coconut shies, bat a rat stalls, white elephant stalls, cakes, and home produce such as jams and pickles. Competitive baking, such as making Victoria sponge cake, is part of the classic British fĂȘte.[2] Filmed in bunting-draped marquees in scenic gardens, The Great British Bake Off television series is inspired by the quintessential English village fĂȘte.[3] Entertainment at fĂȘtes may include Morris dancing, tug of war, fancy dress, and pet shows. The fĂȘte itself is a variation of a fair.
Other types
[edit]In Trinidad and Tobago and other English-speaking Caribbean territories, fĂȘtes are huge parties held during the Carnival season.
Harvard University's Eliot House uses the term to refer to its spring formal.[4] The Independence Day celebration in Bloomington, Minnesota, traditionally held on 3 July, has been known as Summer Fete since 1978.
In Australia, fĂȘtes are typically held by primary schools and other not-for-profit organisations (e.g. the local Seniors' Club, church groups) as fundraisers.
Etymology
[edit]The English word fĂȘte, pronounced /ËfeÉȘt/ FAYT or /ËfÉt/ FET, is borrowed from the Mediaeval Latin festus via the French fĂȘte, meaning "holiday" or "party".[5] The 12th-century Middle English root fest- is shared with feast, festive, festal and festival, festoon, Festivus, the Spanish fiesta, Portuguese festa, etc. and the proper name Festus.
See also
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- Kermesse
- Village FĂȘte, a painting by Claude Lorrain
References
[edit]- â "Fete". Oxford Living Dictionaries. Oxford University Press. Archived from the original on 19 July 2012.
- â "The great Victoria sandwich" Archived 13 April 2018 at the Wayback Machine. The Telegraph. Retrieved 25 February 2018
- â "The Great British Bake Off: it's like a village fete in your sitting room". The Telegraph. Retrieved 25 February 2018
- â Laughary, Danny (5 March 2024). "What makes a House a home". Harvard Gazette. Harvard University. Retrieved 12 August 2026.
- â The New Oxford Dictionary of English (1998). ISBNÂ 0-19-861263-X. p. 677 â "fĂȘte /feÉȘt/ noun Brit. a public function, typically held outdoors and organised to raise funds for charity...".
