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 18–20 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.

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,^{[clarification needed]} 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

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