Dogs, such as Moses, are a main attraction for senior Erin Loury at Picnic Day. (Karin Higgins/UC Davis photo)
In this Spotlight
- Spotlight home
- It's a whole day of Earth-friendly consciousness
- Tom pipes up for the good, the bad and the out of tune — and Twinkies
- Erin gives a family-centered guide to the parade, free stuff and dogs
- Anna dishes out the goods on UC Davis' fashion and tie-dyeing scenes
- Adhanet offers a tour of art galleries — with a big plus: student work
Erin gives a family-centered guide to the parade, free stuff and dogs
This year will mark my sixth Picnic Day, and while many of my friends have bleary memories that start early with mimosas and end late with hangovers, my Picnic Day experience has always been centered on family.
So for those who are looking to celebrate the fun-for-all ages traditions of Picnic Day, let me share some insights from my family to yours.
When I was a freshman in high school, my parents, both UC Davis alums, thought Picnic Day would be a good chance to show off their alma mater.
UC Davis was my first exposure to a university, and though applying was far from my mind during that first visit, on some level I was smitten. Sure, food stands, live music, children and dogs are perhaps not the most accurate representation of a typical school day here.
But the day captures many of the best elements of the Davis campus and community that can be found year round.
Not enough time for everything
First, you have to realize the one glaring thing wrong with Picnic Day — there's just not enough time to see everything! With enough events to fill a week's festivities crammed into a single day, you have to plan ahead to see all the events your heart desires.
Luckily, if you're around Davis for many years, you have time to perfect this skill and catch everything eventually.
Grab an event schedule first thing — and make sure to consult the campus map! While I'm used to zooming around via bicycle, walking the campus with parents in tow gives it a whole new, sprawling feel.
Allowing ample travel time between events is a must. One year, we saw a family solve this problem by whipping out some Razor scooters.
Ever since the early days (this photo was taken in the 1960s), the Picnic Day parade has been worth getting up early to watch.
Parade sets the mood
During my first Picnic Day experience, my dad insisted that we get up early and make the two-hour drive from our San Jose home in time to see the parade. Seeing the elaborate floats and bands is one of his favorite highlights, one that "sets the mood" for the rest of the day.
Showing up early is a good idea to get a curbside seat. And if you can pass for a small child or have one handy, someone in the parade might just give you candy.
And let me tell you — there is ample free stuff to be had at Picnic Day if you know where to look. Departments and groups often have giveaways at their tables along the Memorial Union and the Quad.
We sampled the UC Davis olive oil during its debut tasting at the Memorial Union two years ago, and my parents bought several bottles for family and friends
I've seen free plants and popcorn for grabs at the Plant and Environmental Science building. Last year I got a key chain from the table set up by the Bodega Marine Lab, where I later spent the summer taking classes and doing research.
And parents are my hook-up with the Cal Aggie Alumni Association, which often have prizes like Frisbees, calendars or T-shirts for alumni.
Dogs are the clincher
It wouldn't be a huge stretch of imagination to say that Picnic Day is why I ended up at UC Davis.
Oh sure, the school was a good distance from home, it had strong biology programs, and the tuition was affordable. But more than that, it was a place that knew how to throw its doors open wide to create a welcoming, frenzied celebration for students, families — and dogs.
Yes, dogs. The minute I saw four-legged furries of all shapes and sizes traipsing across the campus, the place spelled "home." And as a big-eyed high school student preparing to enter the wide world of college, feeling at home was important to me.
Of all the events at Picnic Day, my favorite involve animals, and from sheep-dog trials to Frisbee tricks at the Intramural Fields, the dogs sure know how to steal the show.
A must-see for any dog lover is the Doxie Derby, put on by the UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine. The event begins at 1 p.m. in the ARC Pavilion, formerly known as the Recreation Hall.
Doxies put on the 'dash'
The first time I saw these little dogs put the "dash" in dachshund wearing their colored racing jerseys, I literally cried laughing. My advice is to catch the hilarious early trials, where an inexperienced racer may come greet you in the stands, instead of running down the track!
Though most Picnic Day events finish by 4 or 5 p.m., you can always count on one dedicated group of people still going strong as the sun begins to fade, and sometimes long after it has set.
They are the Cal-Aggie Marching Band-uh, who every year defend their home turf against other universities in a grueling Battle of the Bands. After watching these schools strut their stuff in the morning parade, you can bring your day full circle by resting on the banks of the arboretum's Lake Spafford and enjoying their musical antics.
Though my family has seen nearly everything in the course of our many Picnic Days, this year will mark a special first — after missing out many times, our cocker spaniel Max will get to join the tail-wagging foray.
Taking it at Max's pace
I think this year we'll be happy to take things at his pace, which is leisured — unless he catches wind of any squirrels on the Quad.
As another first this year, I will also be spending some time holding an event with the student group SHARE — Students Helping in Aftermath Relief and Education.
We will have quilt patches for visitors, including kids, to decorate with special pictures and messages as part of a gift to a school in New Orleans. It's a great link to this year's theme of encouraging community service. Come visit us, and, as the theme says, make your mark!
Though this is my last Picnic Day as a current UC Davis student, I know the event will remain dear to my heart long after I've crossed over to being an alumna. It's a tradition that's certainly made a mark on me!