Lancelot and Elaine, a pair of mute swans, are the local residents of Lake LaVerne. The original idea of the swans came from VEISHEA 1935 when a large float shaped like a swan glided onto Lake LaVerne and unloosed four swans. Two of those swans were named Lancelot and Elaine by student Jean Nesinwanger, who won $10. Since that time, there have been numerous Lancelots and Elaines.

Their home, Lake LaVerne, was created with a $10,000 donation in 1916 by LaVerne Noyes who was a member of the first graduating class of 1872. One Iowa State tradition is that if you walk around Lake LaVerne three times in silence with your beloved, you are destined to be together.

Learn more about VEISHEA by clicking on the swan.