Picnic Day (UC Davis)

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. [cite web | title=University of California Digital History Archives | url=http://sunsite.berkeley.edu/uchistory/general_history/campuses/ucd/traditions.html#picnic_day | publisher = University of California | accessmonthday = May 6 | accessyear= 2008] It has grown to be what is believed to be the largest [cite web | title=Party time in Davis | url=http://www.sacbee.com/entertainment/v-print/story/868199.html | publisher = Sacramento Bee | accessmonthday = May 6 | accessyear= 2008] student-run event in the United States, typically drawing more than 50,000 visitors. [cite web | title=Open house promises 'A Kaleidoscope of Voices' | url=http://www.ucdavis.edu/spotlight/0408/a_kaleidoscope_of_voices.html | publisher = UC Davis | accessmonthday = April 15 | accessyear= 2008] In 2008, around 100,000 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.

Picnic Day is made up of 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.

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, and etc.

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 is in honoring the Faculty the UC Davis academic community.

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. The Board goes through a series of process as the Board evaluates the submissions and potentially votes the eventual theme. Themes are a great way to reflect the overall message of Picnic Day.

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

* [http://picnicday.ucdavis.edu/ Picnic Day] at the University of California
*

References

http://www.sacbee.com/entertainment/v-print/story/868199.html