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.[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. 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.[4] Davis enacted a safety enhancement zone around downtown and doubled fines for certain infractions committed on Picnic Day in the zone.[5] There was one homicide off campus during the 2011 event.[6]
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 outside of campus, 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.[7] On campus, there were nearly double the number of calls for medical assistance in 2011 as compared to 2010.[8][9] In addition, the California Highway Patrol issued 61 tickets and impounded nine cars.[10] The statistics for 2009, for city of Davis police were 32 arrests (2 for felonies), 83 citations.[11] For 2008, 19 arrests (2 felonies), and 101 citations.[12] For 2007, 19 arrests (no felonies), and 98 citations.[13]
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.
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[edit] 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
Source:[14]
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.
[edit] 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"
[edit] References
- ^ "University of California Digital History Archives". University of California. http://sunsite.berkeley.edu/uchistory/general_history/campuses/ucd/traditions.html#picnic_day. Retrieved May 6, 2008.
- ^ "Party time in Davis". Sacramento Bee. Archived from the original on May 17, 2008. http://web.archive.org/web/20080517052006/http://www.sacbee.com/entertainment/v-print/story/868199.html. Retrieved May 6, 2008.
- ^ "Open house promises 'A Kaleidoscope of Voices'". UC Davis. http://www.ucdavis.edu/spotlight/0408/a_kaleidoscope_of_voices.html. Retrieved April 15, 2008.
- ^ [1]
- ^ [2]
- ^ [3]
- ^ [4]
- ^ [5]
- ^ [6]
- ^ [7]
- ^ [8]
- ^ [9]
- ^ [10]
- ^ http://picnicday.ucdavis.edu/content/parade-marshals
[edit] External links
- Picnic Day at the University of California
- Picnic Day on the Davis Wiki
- http://www.sacbee.com/entertainment/v-print/story/868199.html
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