Customs and Fables
The Ceremony of the Mallard is one of the stranger customs, performed as it is by the most serious and high-minded college. It last took place in 2001. In it a Lord Mallard is carried around the college in a chair, followed by the Fellows carrying flaming torches, supposedly hunting for a giant mallard that flew away during the building of the college in the 15th century. All the while they sing the Mallard song, which generally tells how wonderfully "swapping" ie striking this particular mallard was. It ends with a call to repair to the nearest pub.
Similarly alcoholic-based, New College celebrates Mint Julep Day on 1st June. In 1845 a visiting American, William Trapier, was horrified the college butler didn't know how to mix the cocktail, so he made a demonstration drink and left a fund so that all undergraduates could be provided with a mint julep once a year. The JCR has a special post of Mint Julep Quarterperson who is in charge of making sure this happens.