Guide: UC Davis Picnic Day 2019

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picnic day events at uc davis
Picnickers gather on the lawn outside of Mrak Hall during the The Battle of the Bands during Picnic Day at UC Davis. (UC Davis/Karin Higgins)

With more than 200 events, the only dilemma you'll encounter at the UC Davis Picnic Day will be figuring out which events not to miss.

Luckily, that's where we can help. Using either (or both) the UC Davis Campus Map or our Picnic Day Calendar, you'll spend less time wondering what to do and more time enjoying all the attractions our students and staff have to offer.

Picnic Day attracts more than 70,000 visitors each year with can't-miss, family-friendly events happening right here at UC Davis. From racing dachshunds to insect art, chemical magic shows and more, Picnic Day puts UC Davis' innovative research at the forefront in fun and interactive ways.

The festivities begin Saturday morning, April 13.

Still can't decide what to do first? Here's just a small sampling of some of the fun to expect the 2019 UC Davis Picnic Day.

And, the wiener is...

The fastest wiener takes all at the annual Doxie Derby.

The Doxie Derby puts the long in long-standing tradition, drawing our favorite furry Dachshund participants and thousands of eager human spectators every year. Second-year veterinary students with the UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine have organized the event for 30 years.

WHERE: ARC Pavilion
WHEN: noon-2 p.m.

Join the (Dance) Revolution

UC Davis' Dance Revolution performs on stage.

Cheer on your favorite dancing Aggies at the Pavilion as they compete to take home top prize in either Modern or Traditional dance styles. Organized by the UC Davis Center for Student Involvement, Davis Dance Revolution is an annual competition that takes place toward the end of Picnic Day.

WHERE: ARC Pavilion
WHEN: 7-10 p.m.

This event is so chill

The UC Davis Student Chapter of the American Institute of Chemical Engineering will provide its staple liquid nitrogen-frozen ice cream at this year's UC Davis Picnic Day.

What boils at -320°F and is cold enough to burn? Liquid nitrogen, of course! Come see this incredible chemical phenomenon and better yet, eat it. The UC Davis Student Chapter of the American Institute of Chemical Engineering is bringing its staple liquid nitrogen-frozen sorbet back to Picnic Day.

Watch as students create delicious sorbets in seconds right before your eyes.

WHERE: Jungerman Hall
WHEN: 10 a.m.-2p.m.

Free-flying Frisbee dogs

Savvy shepherds fly through the air to catch Frisbees at Huchison Field during UC Davis Picnic Day.

Some of the savviest furry, four-legged friends take to the air and compete to see which top dog can fetch Frisbee-catching supremacy. The event is hosted by the Canine Medicine Club at the UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine, which showcases the various talents and abilities that are possible when dogs and humans work together.

WHERE: Hutchison Field
WHEN: 10 a.m.-noon

A musical marathon

The UC Davis California Aggie Marching Band-Uh participates in the Battle of the Bands at Picnic Day.

Ali vs. Frazier, Batman vs. Superman, Apple vs. Samsung — all pale in comparison to the showdown that is the UC Davis Battle of the Bands. Celebrating more than 40 years of tradition, the Battle of the Bands pits our own Cal Aggie Marching Band-uh against college bands from elsewhere in the state, in a game not unlike musical HORSE.

Bands will gather on the lawn in front of Mrak Hall. Bring plenty of food, beverage and maybe even a jacket, because this showdown can go well past sundown.

WHERE: Mrak Hall
WHEN: 2-10 p.m. (or until the last band is standing)

Where magic meets science

Students change the color of a light with low temperature liquid during the Material Magic Show at the UC Davis Picnic Day.

Magic is just a form of science we don't understand yet, but when they do, the Material Advantage Student Chapter puts on a show for all ages. The Materials Magic Show is fun for all ages.

Take an Incredibles-themed journey through the wonderful world of materials science! Three shows consisting of various audience-friendly demonstrations will take place.

WHERE: Sciences Lecture Hall
WHEN: 11 a.m., noon and 1 p.m.

It's a bug's world; we just live in it

Staff walk with elementary school students about the thorny stick insect of Borneo.

Learn about insects and entomology from graduate students; watch cockroach racing; and get up close and personal with some of the creepiest, crawliest, tiniest housemates you never knew (or wanted to know) you had.

WHERE: Briggs Hall
WHEN: 11 a.m.-5 p.m.

A journey of discovery

Kids look at the cockroach races during UC Davis Picnic Day.

The Children's Discovery Fair is a fun and educational way to entertain kids and their families, alike! This year's theme is "Craft with Nature." Three major activities will be conducted with the help of undergraduate students: crafting your own leaf art, participatory campus waste mapping and sorting, and composting and protecting our environment.

WHERE: Cruess Hall
WHEN: 10 a.m.-2 p.m.

Picnic Day Parade

Picnic Day Parade officially starts Picnic Day festivities.

You've come to UC Davis Picnic Day. So far, off to a good start. But what to do first? Isn't it obvious? The Picnic Day Parade, of course! It's only the official opening ceremony of Picnic Day, so show up early and pick out prime seating, because you don't want to miss it.

WHERE: Grandstands on North Quad Ave. across from Wickson Hall
WHEN: 9:30 a.m.-noon

For all of your UC Davis Picnic Day information, click over to this link, and be sure to follow us on Facebook and Instagram.

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