lawn fete

Outdoor feast or party, particularly with entertainment. Often includes food and games. Used for church, school and other institutional fundraising. Sometimes has dunk tanks, fishing ponds for prizes, ring the bottle and knock over the bowling pin games. Often includes a raffle at the end of the night, where many winners donate the proceeds back to the sponsoring organization. There is usually good food and a potluck, and a much good natured cooking competition. In the country, this may be a courting opportunity for young people coming of age, under the watchful eye of adults.

Pronounced "lawn fate.". Derivation French.