Picnic Day (UC Davis)
Encyclopedia
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. It has grown to be what is believed to be the largest student-run event in the United States
, typically drawing more than 50,000 visitors. In 2009, around 125,000 visitors attended Picnic Day - a new attendance record. 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
races, equestrian
demonstrations, and a Battle of the Bands
. In recent years, controversy has enveloped Picnic Day as the event has spiraled into alcohol-involved lawlessness and arrests and citations mount. In 2010, there were 545 calls to police. Davis enacted a safety enhancement zone around downtown and doubled fines for certain infractions committed on Picnic Day in the zone. There was one homicide off campus during the 2011 event.
Picnic Day is organized by a board of directors that consist of 18-20 students, ranging from different backgrounds and talents. In addition to being involved in Picnic Day, these directors are also full-time students and active participants of other extra-curricular activities and events in UC Davis.
In 2011, one death occurred at a Picnic Day party as compared to no deaths in 2010. There were 54 arrests by city of Davis
police and 207 citations were issued. On campus, which is outside the Davis city limits, UC Davis police made 10 arrests, and issued 62 citations. In 2010, there were 36 arrests by city of Davis police and 60 citations were issued. The majority of arrests (32 of 54) in the city were for public drunkenness, and only a handful for felonies; in 2010, the majority of arrests were for more serious crimes, including 6 felony arrests. On campus, there were nearly double the number of calls for medical assistance in 2011 as compared to 2010. In addition, the California Highway Patrol
issued 61 tickets and impounded nine cars. The statistics for 2009, for city of Davis police were 32 arrests (2 for felonies), 83 citations. For 2008, 19 arrests (2 felonies), and 101 citations. For 2007, 19 arrests (no felonies), and 98 citations.
Since 1962, the board of directors elects (a) parade marshal(s) to be the distinguished guest(s) of Picnic Day. A subcommittee of directors evaluates a pool of candidates ranging from different backgrounds. In selecting the parade marshal(s), the subcommittee is looking for individual(s) who: shows passion for his or her job, personifies the current theme, represents Aggie Pride, has made contribution to the campus and Davis community, and, most of all, is a role model to society. Picnic Day has selected individuals who have been involved in various fields such as the arts, sciences, politics, etc.
Past Parade Marshals
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 (TBA)
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 Phill Dubois
1978 Bob Krieger
1976 Thomas L. Allen
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
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.
Every year, the board of directors selects a theme that will reflect the mission and vision of that year's Picnic Day.
Past Themes
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"
1995 "Down To Earth"
1994 "Students Shining Through"
Open House
Open House may refer to:*Open house , a common school event held in the United States and Canada*Open House , a 1960 album by jazz organist Jimmy Smith*Open House , a 2004 independent film...
event held in April at the University of California, Davis
University of California, Davis
The University of California, Davis is a public teaching and research university established in 1905 and located in Davis, California, USA. Spanning over , the campus is the largest within the University of California system and third largest by enrollment...
. Picnic Day was first held on May 22, 1909. It has grown to be what is believed to be the largest student-run event in the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
, typically drawing more than 50,000 visitors. In 2009, around 125,000 visitors attended Picnic Day - a new attendance record. 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
Veterinary medicine
Veterinary Medicine is the branch of science that deals with the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of disease, disorder and injury in non-human animals...
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
Parade
A parade is a procession of people, usually organized along a street, often in costume, and often accompanied by marching bands, floats or sometimes large balloons. Parades are held for a wide range of reasons, but are usually celebrations of some kind...
, Dachshund
Dachshund
The dachshund is a short-legged, long-bodied dog breed belonging to the hound family. The standard size dachshund was bred to scent, chase, and flush out badgers and other burrow-dwelling animals, while the miniature dachshund was developed to hunt smaller prey such as rabbits...
races, equestrian
Equestrianism
Equestrianism more often known as riding, horseback riding or horse riding refers to the skill of riding, driving, or vaulting with horses...
demonstrations, and a Battle of the Bands
Battle of the Bands
Battle of Bands is a contest in which two or more bands compete for the title of "best band". The winner is determined by a panel of judges, the general response of the audience, or a combination. The winning band usually receives a prize in addition to bragging rights. Traditionally, battles of...
. In recent years, controversy has enveloped Picnic Day as the event has spiraled into alcohol-involved lawlessness and arrests and citations mount. In 2010, there were 545 calls to police. Davis enacted a safety enhancement zone around downtown and doubled fines for certain infractions committed on Picnic Day in the zone. There was one homicide off campus during the 2011 event.
Picnic Day is organized by a board of directors that consist of 18-20 students, ranging from different backgrounds and talents. In addition to being involved in Picnic Day, these directors are also full-time students and active participants of other extra-curricular activities and events in UC Davis.
In 2011, one death occurred at a Picnic Day party as compared to no deaths in 2010. There were 54 arrests by city of Davis
Davis, California
Davis is a city in Yolo County, California, United States. It is part of the Sacramento–Arden-Arcade–Roseville Metropolitan Statistical Area...
police and 207 citations were issued. On campus, which is outside the Davis city limits, UC Davis police made 10 arrests, and issued 62 citations. In 2010, there were 36 arrests by city of Davis police and 60 citations were issued. The majority of arrests (32 of 54) in the city were for public drunkenness, and only a handful for felonies; in 2010, the majority of arrests were for more serious crimes, including 6 felony arrests. On campus, there were nearly double the number of calls for medical assistance in 2011 as compared to 2010. In addition, the California Highway Patrol
California Highway Patrol
The California Highway Patrol is a law enforcement agency of the U.S. state of California. The CHP has patrol jurisdiction over all California highways and also acts as the state police....
issued 61 tickets and impounded nine cars. The statistics for 2009, for city of Davis police were 32 arrests (2 for felonies), 83 citations. For 2008, 19 arrests (2 felonies), and 101 citations. For 2007, 19 arrests (no felonies), and 98 citations.
Since 1962, the board of directors elects (a) parade marshal(s) to be the distinguished guest(s) of Picnic Day. A subcommittee of directors evaluates a pool of candidates ranging from different backgrounds. In selecting the parade marshal(s), the subcommittee is looking for individual(s) who: shows passion for his or her job, personifies the current theme, represents Aggie Pride, has made contribution to the campus and Davis community, and, most of all, is a role model to society. Picnic Day has selected individuals who have been involved in various fields such as the arts, sciences, politics, etc.
Past Parade Marshals
2010 Tom and Meg Stallard
2009 Gabriella Wong, Robert “Bob” Black
2008 Antoinette "Butterscotch" Clinton
Butterscotch (performer)
Antoinette Kai'Maiya Clinton , known by her stage name Butterscotch, is an American beatboxer/singer/pianist.- Early life :...
, Chef Martin Yan
Martin Yan
Martin Yan is a Chinese-born American chef and the host of the award-winning cooking show Yan Can Cook.- Early years and education :With ancestral roots in Kaiping, Guangdong, China, Yan was born in Guangzhou, Guangdong, China, to a restaurateur father and a grocer mother, Yan began to cook at 12...
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
Robert Mondavi
Robert Gerald Mondavi was a leading California vineyard operator whose technical improvements and marketing strategies brought worldwide recognition for the wines of the Napa Valley in California. From an early period, Mondavi aggressively promoted labeling wines varietally rather than...
2001 Randolph M. Siverson, Ted Adams, Jackie Speier
Jackie Speier
Karen Lorraine Jacqueline "Jackie" Speier is the U.S. Representative for , serving since 2008. She is a member of the Democratic Party. The district includes the northern two-thirds of San Mateo County and the southwest quarter of San Francisco.She is also a former member of the California State...
2000 (TBA)
1999 Stephen Robinson
Stephen Robinson
Stephen Kern Robinson is a NASA astronaut. He was born October 26, 1955, in Sacramento, California.He enjoys flying, antique aircraft, swimming, canoeing, hiking, music, art, and stereo photography. He plays lead guitar in Max Q, a rock and roll band...
, 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 Phill Dubois
1978 Bob Krieger
1976 Thomas L. Allen
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
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.
Every year, the board of directors selects a theme that will reflect the mission and vision of that year's Picnic Day.
Past Themes
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"
1995 "Down To Earth"
1994 "Students Shining Through"
External links
- Picnic Day at the University of California
- Picnic Day on the Davis Wiki