Picnic Day is an annual open house event held in April at the University of California, Davis. Picnic Day was first held on May 22, 1909.[1] It has grown to be what is believed to be the largest[2] student-run event in the United States, typically drawing more than 50,000 visitors.[3] In 2009, around 125,000 visitors attended Picnic Day  a new attendance record.

In 2020, Picnic Day 106 was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The in-person event returned in 2022 with Picnic Day 108.

Events and attractions

Most departments put on exhibitions, competitions, or presentations to introduce themselves to the public. Due in large part to UC Davis' reputation as one of the finest veterinary medicine institutions in the country, Picnic Day features dozens of exhibitions featuring animals, including the famed geep, a goat-sheep chimera. Other parts of the celebration include a parade, Dachshund racing, equestrian demonstrations, and a Battle of the Bands.

Organization

Picnic Day is organized by a board of directors consisting of 1820 students, ranging from different backgrounds and talents. Directors are full-time students and active participants of other extra-curricular activities and events in UC Davis. Every year, the board of directors selects a theme that will reflect the mission and vision of that year's Picnic Day.

UCD marching band and honor guard
Picnic Day Parade. Honor Guard and UC Davis marching band.

Parade marshals

Since 1962, the board of directors elects one or more parade marshals to be the distinguished guest(s) of Picnic Day. A subcommittee of directors evaluates a pool of candidates from different backgrounds. In selecting the parade marshal(s), the subcommittee is looking for individual(s) who show commitment to their work, personify the current theme, represent Aggie Pride, have contributed to the campus and Davis community, and, most of all, are role models to society. Picnic Day has selected individuals engaged in the arts, sciences, politics and other fields.

Safety concerns

The size of the event has sparked some controversy. In 2010, there were 545 calls to police.[4] Davis enacted a Safety Enhancement Zone (SEZ) around downtown and doubled fines for certain infractions committed on Picnic Day in the zone.[4] In 2016, the SEZ was expanded. The northern margin of the zone was moved to Covell Blvd. (up from 8th St.) and the western margin was moved to State Route 113 (over from Anderson Rd.)[5] There was one accidental death off campus during the 2011 event.[6]

Past parade marshals

  • 2020  Jamie Peyton
  • 2019  Sarah T. Steward
  • 2018  Thomas Famula, Michelle Famula
  • 2017  Bryan Enderle, Isao Fujimoto
  • 2016  Ramsey Mussallam
  • 2015  Jane Eadie, Richard Kossak
  • 2014  Sandy Holman, Hal & Carol Sconyers
  • 2013  Richard McCapes and Babe Slater
  • 2012  Ruth Asmundson, Rich Engel, Cathy West
  • 2011  Mark Champagne, Jim Sochor
  • 2010  Tom and Meg Stallard
  • 2009  Gabriella Wong, Robert “Bob” Black
  • 2008  Antoinette "Butterscotch" Clinton, Chef Martin Yan
  • 2007  Yvonne Marsh, Bay Butler, Dr. Bryan Jenkins
  • 2006  Dr. Douglas Gross, Steven James Tingus, Lois Wolk, Dr. Liz Applegate
  • 2005  Jack Farmer, Kelly Albin, Dawn Imamoto
  • 2004  Professor Niels Pedersen, Dr. Stylianos Spyradakis, Klea Bertakis
  • 2003  John Boe, Richard & Evelyn Rominger
  • 2002  Robert and Margrit Mondavi
  • 2001  Randolph M. Siverson, Ted Adams, Jackie Speier
  • 2000  Francisco Rodriguez, Jamila Demby
  • 1999  Stephen Robinson, Mayra Welch, Thomas Duncan
  • 1998  Deanne Vochatzer, Vic Fazio, Yvonne Lee, Celeste Turner Wright
  • 1997  Delaine Eastin, Dennis Mceil, Ann Veneman, Ken Verosub
  • 1996  Carol Wall
  • 1995  Ida Mae Hunter, Peter Dietrich
  • 1994  Tom Dutton, Darby Morrisroe
  • 1993  Orville and Erna Thompson
  • 1992  Wayne and Jaque Bartholomew
  • 1991  Fred Wood
  • 1990  Harry O. Walker
  • 1989  Leslie Campbell
  • 1988  Ted Hullar
  • 1987  James H. Meyer
  • 1986  Warren D. Mooney
  • 1985  Jim Sochor
  • 1984  Harry J. Colvin, Jr.
  • 1983  Philip Dubois
  • 1982  Marilyn Etzler
  • 1981  Gary Ford
  • 1980  Lawrence Shepard
  • 1979  Arnold Sillman
  • 1978  Bob Krieger
  • 1977  Ruth Anderson
  • 1976  Thomas L. Allen
  • 1975  Celeste Turner Wright
  • 1974  Dick Lewis
  • 1973  G. Ledyard Stebbins
  • 1972  Chancellor Meyer
  • 1971  Wilson Riles
  • 1970  Earl Warren, Sr.
  • 1969  Emil Mrak
  • 1968  Chester O. McCorkle
  • 1967  Maynard A Amerine
  • 1966  Blaine McGowan
  • 1965  Lt. Gov. Glenn M. Anderson
  • 1964  Emil Mrak
  • 1963  Edwin C. Voorhies
  • 1962  Robert Sproul

Source:[7]

Distinguished Faculty Member

In addition the board of Picnic Day 2008: “A Kaleidoscope of Voices” introduced, for the first time in Picnic Day history, “Distinguished Faculty Member.” This title honors the faculty of UC Davis.

  • 2008  Charles Bamforth, Ph.D., Virginia Hamilton, Ph.D., Andrew Waterhouse, Ph.D.

Past themes

  • 2022 "Rediscovering Tomorrow"
  • 2021 "Discovering Silver Linings"
  • 2020 "Envisioning Tomorrow"
  • 2019 "Adventure Awaits"
  • 2018 "Where the Sun Shines"
  • 2017 "Growing Together"
  • 2016 "Cultivating Our Authenticity"
  • 2015 "Heart of Our Community"
  • 2014 "100: A Timeless Aggie Tradition"
  • 2013 "Snapshot"
  • 2012 "Then, Now, Always"
  • 2011 "Rewind"
  • 2010 "Carpe Davis: Seizing Opportunities"
  • 2009 "Reflections: 100 Years of Aggie Legacy "
  • 2008 "A Kaleidoscope of Voices"
  • 2007 "Making our Mark"
  • 2006 "Celebrate TODAY"
  • 2005 "LIVE on One Shields Ave"
  • 2004 "Shifting Gears for 90 years"
  • 2003 "Rock the Picnic"
  • 2002 "Open Mind, Open Door"
  • 2001 "Aggies Shine Together"
  • 2000 "Life's A Picnic"
  • 1999 "Moo-ving into the Future"
  • 1998 "Breaking New Ground"
  • 1997 "UC Davis Outstanding in Its Fields"
  • 1996 "Carrying the Torch of Tradition"
  • 1995 "Down To Earth"
  • 1994 "Students Shining Through"
  • 1993 "Faces of the Future"
  • 1992 "Moovin Ahead"
  • 1991 "Catch the Spirit, Build a Better U"
  • 1990 "Shaping Our Environment with Diversity, Tradition and Style"
  • 1989 "Challenging Our Future Today"
  • 1988 "Progress Backed By Tradition"
  • 1987 "On the Move"
  • 1986 "Reaching New Heights"
  • 1985 "Setting the Pace"
  • 1984 "Celebrating Excellence: UCD's Diamond Anniversary"
  • 1983 "Meeting the Challenge"
  • 1981 "'81 A Vintage Year"
  • 1980 "Decade Debut"
  • 1979 "Aggie Energy"
  • 1978 "Davis Directions"
  • 1976 "UCDiversity"
  • 1975 "Hay Day"
  • 1974 "Cycles"
  • 1973 "The Farm Mooves"
  • 1972 "Remember the First"
  • 1971 "Memories of the Past... A Challenge to the Future"
  • 1970 "Blowing in the Wind"
  • 1969 "Freewheeling & Family"
  • 1968 "Know Your University and 100 Years Later"
  • 1967 "Farm"
  • 1965 "Aggie Country"
  • 1964 "Today's Aggie Family"
  • 1963 "Aggie Jubilee"
  • 1962 "Kaleidoscope '62"
  • 1961 "Workshop for the World"
  • 1960 "Foundations for the Future"
  • 1959 "U-Diversity"
  • 1958 "Showcase of Progress"
  • 1957 "Campus Cavalcade"
  • 1956 "Aggie Milestones"
  • 1955 "Future Unlimited"
  • 1954 "California Cornucopia"
  • 1953 "At Home"
  • 1952 "Preview of Progress"
  • 1951 "Harvest of Science"
  • 1950 "Cavalcade of Agriculture"
  • 1949 "Research Makes the Difference"

References

  1. "University of California Digital History Archives". University of California. Retrieved May 6, 2008.
  2. "Party time in Davis". Sacramento Bee. Archived from the original on May 17, 2008. Retrieved May 6, 2008.
  3. "Open house promises 'A Kaleidoscope of Voices'". UC Davis. Archived from the original on July 25, 2008. Retrieved April 15, 2008.
  4. 1 2 "City, UCD police release final Picnic Day statistics". Davis Enterprise. Retrieved March 15, 2016.
  5. "Picnic Day | Safety Updates 2016". picnicday.ucdavis.edu. Retrieved May 19, 2016.
  6. "Popular Davis athlete dies of injuries". Davis Enterprise. Retrieved March 15, 2016.
  7. "Parade Marshals 2010". Archived from the original on May 1, 2010. Retrieved April 20, 2018.
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