Picnic Day, one of the largest student-run events in the country and a UC Davis tradition, returns for its 111th installment on Saturday, April 12 with the theme “Welcome to Wonderland.”
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An expected 75,000 attendees will enjoy day-long events celebrating the inclusivity, originality and the energy of campus and student life.
Many favorite Picnic Day events are back, along with some new additions.
Festivities kick off at 9:30 a.m. with the Picnic Day Parade, featuring hundreds of campus and community partners. This year’s parade marshal is Laci Gerhart, an associate professor of teaching in the Department of Evolution and Ecology, known for her instruction of the popular introductory biology course, BIS 2B. Parade marshals are selected for embodying the Picnic Day theme and their active participation in the Davis community.
After the parade, multiple events and exhibits return including fan favorites like the Student Organization Fair, Doxie Derby (tickets are required), live entertainment and Children’s Discovery Fair.
Picnic Day Chair Mina Sarmah said she believes this year’s theme represents “a day where our campus and community get to come to life.”
“There's so many events [you should be] able to find the thing that resonates the most with you,” Sarmah said.
A fourth-year statistics major, Sarmah has been on the Picnic Day staff since her first year as parade assistant director. She then worked on exhibits, helping to coordinate nearly 150 to 200 events across campus departments, before serving as Picnic Day vice chair last year.
“I started the first year out of Covid, and now we're four years out,” Sarmah said. She witnessed the event return to pre-pandemic attendance numbers. “As a senior, my main goal this year is definitely to give back all the love that I've received from my team and show new people what Picnic Day could be.”
Sarmah noted the staff’s addition of a general manager position that receives “more hands-on experience” helping to organize the day.
One new event this year is the Picnic Day Pit Stop at Russell Field. Kicking off at 12 p.m., it will include an entertainment stage, food trucks, activities and games to create, and is, according to Sarmah, “a very mini, quick version of Picnic Day” where newcomers can “see what it's like and then get onto campus and see the full blown, event.”
Upon graduation, Sarmah plans to work in business operations. She attributed finding job opportunities to her experience working on Picnic Day which, which, according to Sarmah, “has really helped me understand the inner workings of operations and the business side of things.”
First Picnic Day? Sarmah recommended staying hydrated, bringing a hat and sunscreen, and taking a look at the website to map out the day.
“It does get pretty crowded on the campus,” Sarmah said, “so making sure you have a direction will be really handy.”
Check the Picnic Day website and Instagram for updated information.