Kermess

Part of speech: noun

Definitions

1. A community celebration or fair that usually includes games, food vendors, and performances designed to foster social interaction and enjoyment
2. A lively event often organized to benefit a cause, showcasing various activities, food options, and entertainment for attendees
3. A festive gathering typically featuring games, food stalls, and entertainment, meant to promote community spirit and enjoyment

Etymology: The word arrived in English from Dutch, where "kermis" meant a church festival, and the name itself is a compound of "church" and "mass." Its origin lies in the consecration of a church. Each year on the anniversary of a building's dedication, the community held a festival, and the feast took its name from the Mass that marked the occasion. Dutch "kermis" and German "Kirmes" share this same sense, which is why the English spelling "kermess" can be traced to those two languages rather than to a single source. Over time the religious core fell away, and the word came to mean any lively fair with games, food stalls and entertainment, the sense it carries today.

Synonyms: fair, festival, carnival