May Fete (also spelled “Mai Fête”), a multi-day celebration held during Spring term on May Fete Island in Lyman Lakes, has historically been an important way for seniors to celebrate their graduation and to spend time together during their last trimester at Carleton. This tradition began in 1907 and was last practiced in its original form around 1970.
Originally, students would host parties and performances over three days, culminating in the coronation of a “May Fete Queen,” selected from “a court of 12 senior women, all chosen for their outstanding service and tangible contributions in the areas in which they are gifted” (Koegles, 1963).
According to the Student Activities Office, May Fete became much more casual over time. These days, some seniors host activities on the island on Wednesdays of Spring term.
Sources:
Image: May Fete: Unknown Creator. “May Fete.” c. 1919. Carleton College Archives. https://archivedb.carleton.edu/index.php?p=digitallibrary/digitalcontent&id=83191. Accessed March 3rd, 2021.
Information:
Koelges, Jane. Press Release: “Carleton Mai-Fete Celebration.” Carleton College News Bureau, May 10, 1963. Accessed via Carleton Digital Collections, March 13, 2021. https://contentdm.carleton.edu/digital/collection/NewsRel/id/9055
Lee Clark, Student Activities Office. “Mai Fete: A Historical Perspective.” Student Activities Carleton College, apps.carleton.edu/campus/campact/programs/maifete/.
“Timeline: Sesquicentennial: Carleton College.” Edited by Doug Bratland, Carleton College, apps.carleton.edu/150/timeline/.
