Picnic Day ‘rewinds’ to emphasize family nature

Picnic Day at UC Davis promises to celebrate its family-friendly traditions on Saturday, April 16, with the university and community working together to address problems that marred aspects of the campus’s annual open house in 2010.

The event attracts thousands of visitors with more than 200 family-friendly activities — including a parade, entertainment, educational exhibits, tours, a children’s fair, sporting contests and animal events. But last year’s event was accompanied by rowdiness and alcohol-related problems, mostly in downtown Davis, and a higher-than-usual number of calls for police service and more arrests than usual.

Special measures for this year include scaling back event publicity; enacting increased penalties for violations of the law and of the the student conduct code; encouraging responsibility and safety at off-campus parties; and increased staffing by law enforcement, the California Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control and the university.

UC Davis managerial economics major Charlie Colato, who chairs Picnic Day, said the board of directors chose this year’s “Rewind” theme to encourage Picnic Day-goers to hold to the spirit of that first day spent picnicking around a new university barn in 1909.

“This is the year to ‘rewind’ Picnic Day from the alcohol-related problems that have accompanied the celebration,” he said. “We want our students and the community to enjoy the day and be safe.”

Welcome for parents

Maria Zalesky, director of Parent Programs at UC Davis, has a special welcome for parents. “Attending Picnic Day is a great way for parents to learn more about the exciting programs on the UC Davis campus and engage in fun activities for themselves not only as parents of a student but as lifelong learners,” she said.

Among the treats for parents, world famous chef Martin Yan and his wife, Susan, will share their experiences as alumni and parents of a UC Davis student in a talk from 1:30 to 2:30 p.m. in the UC Davis Conference Center. Yan will also demonstrate the cooking that made him a beloved television chef.

Parents, their students and Aggie alumni can start the day at the 28th annual Picnic Day Pancake breakfast from 7:30 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. at Freeborn Hall. Tickets are $10 for members of the Cal Aggie Alumni Association and the UC Davis Aggie Parents Association and $15 for nonmembers.

Wide variety of activities

After breakfast, the annual Picnic Day parade begins on campus and travels through downtown Davis, featuring creative floats and marching bands — most notably, the ever-beloved Cal Aggie Marching Band-Uh!

Campus activities include more than a little something for everyone: dachshund races, a fashion show of student-designed clothing, live entertainment, animal exhibits of all kinds, and a chemistry magic show. Most events wind down by 5 p.m.

Alumni Zone events

A special Alumni Zone centered on the quad in front of the Robert and Margrit Mondavi Center for the Performing Arts provides a great place for parents to learn from 15 alumni partners about great discoveries at the campus. Zone visitors can enjoy musical performances on the nearby solar-powered Vanderhoef Stage, discover new ways to go green, and check out the cool cars from the Institute for Transportation Studies. Open from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., the Alumni Zone will also include a pet area, a free photo booth and a kid zone with art activities.

Parents who are in town the night before Picnic Day are also invited to a Vintage Aggies Wine Tasting from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. on April 15 at the Buehler Alumni and Visitors Center. The event will feature wines from alumni winemakers. The cost is $15 for members of the alumni or parent association and $20 for nonmembers.

Information to help you plan your visit to Picnic Day, including a schedule of events, is posted on the Picnic Day website; more information about parent and alumni events is available at the alumni association website.