The Forgotten Feast

The Forgotten feast is a tradition that has spread throughout all of gnomish culture and those who live above ground among other species have found various ways to mark progress for the community they live in. Theater troupes may hold one when they have a new play made or open a new theater. Masons may hold one when a new set of buildings or walls are built or repaired. The main key being that something that helps the whole community or changes it in some way must be finished and on that day a Forgotten Feast will be held.
While not widely practiced outside of gnomish culture it is a holiday that many races who live near or among a population of gnomes tends to adopt. The concepts behind it are easy to transition from one culture to another and any reason to celebrate is usually seen as a good one.

History

This tradition started among Gnomes during the rise of the elven empire before the lost era. Quentin Gloryfinder the first speaker for Glory, got lost. Or at least that is how the story starts out. Quentin and a few of his friends decided to go looking at the newer sections of their home tunnel, setting out to do so in the early hours of the morning. While inspecting the new area they found that they had breached a set of natural tunnels and the friends decided to explore them for officially for any danger but really for fun. After a time exploring the area they hadn't found anything dangerous but thoroughly enjoyed seeing the new areas and some natural crystal growths which would make the area an exquisite addition to the home tunnel. Happy to tell the foreman of the undead digging crew that had uncovered it about the beautiful section they had a few drinks to celebrate. With a bit of a buzz going the group went on to try and find the next new section but instead blundered back into the main sections of the home tunnel. Deciding that honesty and getting where they were going was more important than being caught celebrating with cause they stopped at a merchants home and asked for directions. The merchant welcomed Gloryfinder and his friends into his home and was most delighted to help them out asking only for the tale of what had happened to bring them to his door in return. Gloryfinder was happy to comply and hearing of a new addition to the home tunnel the merchant proclaimed it just cause for celebration, poured them all new drinks just as they were getting sober and gave them directions. He then told them to come back and he would lay a fine celebration dinner. Gloryfinder before leaving asked the merchant to move a table out of doors so that they could share the celebration with his neighbors and the rest of the clan. The merchant agreed and waved them off happy to see them after they had completed their intended rounds.
Gloryfinder and his friends made it to the new new section of tunnels and a bit drunkenly wandered around them telling the tale of why they were drunk to all who asked and also adding that there was supposed to be a celebratory feast later. The exact location of where the dinner or feast depending on the retelling was to be had kept changing as the drunken friends worked at remembering it correctly. The one factor that had managed to stay with the friends was the idea that the clan and families of the home tunnel should be able to celebrate together, so the feast was to be held outside. The biggest obstacle the friends found was that as they spread good new they were asked to have a drink to mark the occasion. This lead them to having widely varying levels of sobriety throughout the day and kept getting them lost as they stumbled and shambled from one place to another. Finally they came to the idea that it had to be near dinner time and they needed to get back to the merchants home to eat something if they didn't want the worst hangover ever.
They were unsuccessful. Instead managed to get back to the home tunnels and drunkenly go from house to house asking where dinner was and then having to explain that there was supposed to be a feast, right here out in the street so everyone could come. Each time they were very insistent that dinner was supposed to be had at that location or at least in front of it. With Gloryfinders reputation most people just assumed that their spouse, family member, or friend had volunteered them for helping to host an event in front of their home and since it was for everyone they figured that they weren't supplying everything just some of it. So it was an easy request to answer. Since Gloryfinder and his friends were making these demands and going around looking for dinner not long before dinner time... word spread and soon the largest impromptu potluck ever was in full swing.
Clansmen and women returned home to hear about what was happening from their spouses and family members and soon tables were being pulled out of houses and into the street, festival lanterns were dug out and undead were commanded to hang and light them. Gloryfinder and his friends weary and with tired feet gave up looking for the merchant and went back to Gloryfinder's house and passed out. They were roused several hours later by the music in the streets and the sounds of people celebrating. Not sure what was happening or why Gloryfinder and his friends wandered out to join the festivities and it wasn't until a few days later that all was sorted and everyone learned of how the event had come to pass. It was such a grand time though that the head of the clan that founded the home tunnel declared that whenever a new section of home tunnel was completed or a new natrual cavern set was found, the clan would celebrate with a 'Forgotten Feast' where everyone would celebrate since no one knew who the host was.

Execution

One or two families from each block or section of tunnel brings their dinning table out of their home and into the street to share with their neighbors. These tables are filled with food, each family adding a dish of their own to the feast. Those who cannot offer food for whatever reason are expected to play music, tell stories, or help entertain in some manner.
The rich and the poor, while not exactly rubbing elbows are expected to allow anyone who is a member of the clan or neighborhood they live in come by and eat from their table and share their time and celebration. Everyone is equal before Glory and social boundaries are made to be changed, as well as a persons place within them.
When the feasting, dancing, and general celebrating is done the community gathers all of the dishes and brings out laundry tubs and the community cleans up together rather than leaving it for anyone person or set of people in particular.