Each year, on the Wednesday evening before Thanksgiving Break, Dining, Conferences, and Campus Events (DCCE) hosts Harvest Dinner for the Bates community. The tradition is beloved by many for its incredible atmosphere and impeccable timing. It allows students to take a break from their coursework amidst a busy time and gather together before the holiday season officially begins. While everyone’s experience of Harvest Dinner is unique, there are some key elements that make the event something Bates students look forward to year after year.
I’ll admit that before Bates, I wasn’t the biggest fan of Thanksgiving food, but somewhere along the way, my perception of it changed. Perhaps my palette matured after tasting the infamous lobster mac & cheese. It’s truly irresistible. The stuffing and cranberry sauce also complements the meal quite nicely, leading me to question my long-held belief that turkey is dry and overrated. Of course, the dinner rolls are my personal favorite. Bates bread is truly one of a kind. Commons food has the reputation of being well-liked among the student body, and Harvest Dinner seems to justify Bates’ noteworthy ranking as one of the nation’s best college dining halls.
The live music also helps contribute to the hype around Harvest Dinner. The band never fails to captivate the attention of Commons. The upbeat music radiates contagious positive energy that’s nearly impossible to ignore. Before long, the first waves of courageous souls make their way to the front of the stage and begin dancing to the music. Shortly thereafter the crowd grows larger, and Commons has been transformed into a mini-concert venue.
Yet, this wouldn’t be as meaningful without the fostered sense of community among Bates students.The Harvest Dinner functions as a reflection of that community. Amanda Jenkins, a junior from New Jersey, expressed, “It was so fun seeing everyone dancing together for the band – the energy was top-notch!”
Nate Shore, a sophomore from Maine, enthusiastically echoed Amanda, saying, “You couldn’t have wiped the smile off my face at the 2024 Harvest Dinner if you tried. The Harvest Dinner was the greatest collage of Bates food, personalities, and dancing I have ever seen. There is a special part of my heart that belongs to the Harvest Dinner.” The event embodies the beauty of attending a small liberal arts college, reminding us of what makes Bates Bates.
Mehar, a sophomore from India, added, “As an international student, the Harvest Dinner is a wonderful way to experience local New England traditions and feel at home with the Bates community!”
Although finals can temporarily cloud our outlook, we all have a lot to be thankful for this season and an incredible 2025 with even more Bates traditions awaiting our arrival. So, cheers to a successful Harvest Dinner, and fingers crossed for a snowy winter.
