noun (plural fetes) (plural fêtes)
Definition:
1. party: a large elaborate party, often outdoors
2. holiday: a holiday or day of celebration
3. religious festival: a religious festival, e.g. a saint's day
[Mid-18th century. Via French fête> Latin festum "feast, festival"]
Encarta® World English Dictionary [North American Edition] © & (P)2009 Microsoft Corporation. http://encarta.msn.com/dictionary_/fete.html (accessed: December 26, 2008).
Example:
After far too many weeks off, attending fêtes for all sorts of occasions: drunken bacchanalian revelries, priapic orgies on a grand scale, and one small church mixer. I am back!
OK, so not really. I have been stuck in snow with power available randomly. I have been to a few parties but nothing that would get anyone arrested in most of the 50 states.