Picnic Day Decorative Image

Picnic Day in Pictures: Then and Now

Did you know that the UC Davis Library houses Picnic Day history dating back to the very first one? Digitized programs and pictures have immortalized this student-run event for good, creating a treasure trove of campus history for Aggies to enjoy. We’ve picked out some of our favorite photos and put them alongside fond memories from recent Picnic Days, keep scrolling to enjoy and reminisce!


1. The First Picnic Day and the Last Picnic Day

Starting us off strong is a picture of the very first Picnic Day in 1909! Compared to the parade scene at last year's Picnic Day in 2023, the clothing and visitor count are just a few of the changes that have happened over the years. 

First Picnic Day, 1909
UAP_01645, University Archives Photographs, AR-013, Archives and Special Collections, UC Davis Library.
Picnic Day, 2023
(UC Davis/Gregory Urquiaga)

 

2. The Livestock

It wouldn't be Picnic Day without our favorite Davis cows (and sheep and goats)! Whether at a petting zoo or as part of the parade, the city's cutest farm animals have always graced the event with their presence. Has anything even changed?

Molly's Pete drinking milk, 1921
UAP_02982, University Archives Photographs, AR-013, Archives and Special Collections, UC Davis Library.
A student pets the cows at the petting zoo, 2023
(UC Davis/Karin Higgins)
Sheep, 1923
UAP_01774, University Archives Photographs, AR-013, Archives and Special Collections, UC Davis Library.
Picnic Day visitors visit the sheep in the petting zoo, 2023
(UC Davis/Karin Higgins)
Cows walking down the street in a parade, undated
UAP_01650, University Archives Photographs, AR-013, Archives and Special Collections, UC Davis Library.
A student pets a goat at the petting zoo, 2023
(UC Davis/Karin Higgins)

 

 

3. The Parade

The parade is one of the biggest and most anticipated parts of Picnic Day, so there's no wonder it has so much history! From horseback riding (something still seen at Picnic Day today) to tractors to flower floats, these pictures alone span from 1913 to 1968. Seen at last year's Picnic Day, penny-farthings, Unitrans, student-powered floats and more have become parade staples.

Horses walk the parade, 1913
UAP_01651, University Archives Photographs, AR-013, Archives and Special Collections, UC Davis Library.

 

People on pennyfarthing bikes ride through the parade, 2023
(UC Davis/Gregory Urquiaga)
Tractor pulling parade float, 1916
UAP_01712, University Archives Photographs, AR-013, Archives and Special Collections, UC Davis Library.

 

A Unitrans double decker bus drives the parade, 2023
(UC Davis/Gregory Urquiaga)
Horseless carriage, 1917
UAP_01724, University Archives Photographs, AR-013, Archives and Special Collections, UC Davis Library.

 

Vintage cars drive the parade, 2023
(UC Davis/Gregory Urquiaga)
A parade float, 1950-59
UAP_01833, University Archives Photographs, AR-013, Archives and Special Collections, UC Davis Library.
Bakuhatsu Taiko Dan performs while pulling their parade float, 2023
(UC Davis/Gregory Urquiaga)
A man talks at the grandstand of the parade, 1964
UAP_01787, University Archives Photographs, AR-013, Archives and Special Collections, UC Davis Library.
Gary May talks at the parade grandstand, 2023
(UC Davis/Gregory Urquiaga)
A cow float made up of people, 1968
UAP_01794, University Archives Photographs, AR-013, Archives and Special Collections, UC Davis Library.
A student from the Student Farm hands out flowers at the parade, 2023
(UC Davis/Gregory Urquiaga)

 

4. The Doxie Derby

This historical photo of everyone's favorite sporting event is a special find, so just take a moment to enjoy the perennial cuteness of racing dachshunds!

Dogs run in the Doxie Derby, undated
UAP_01837, University Archives Photographs, AR-013, Archives and Special Collections, UC Davis Library.
Dogs run in the Doxie Derby, 2023
(UC Davis/Karin Higgins)

 

5. The Exhibits and Demonstrations

UC Davis has been showing off its educational and research offerings at Picnic Day since at least 1916 and still continues to this day. These historical photos show the Division of Viticulture's grafting house (1916), a horticultural display (undated), the landscape department (1930), a natural history exhibit (undated) and some agricultural engineering mechanisms (undated). Last year's Picnic Day featured a cooperage demonstration, free fig trees, an interactive landscape with the DataLab, rats and the Museum of Wildlife, Fish and Biology.

 

Landscape department at Picnic Day, 1930
UAP_01747, University Archives Photographs, AR-013, Archives and Special Collections, UC Davis Library.
Natural history exhibit at Picnic Day, undated
UAP_01897, University Archives Photographs, AR-013, Archives and Special Collections, UC Davis Library.

 

Agricultural Engineering Department at Picnic Day, undated
UAP_01852, University Archives Photographs, AR-013, Archives and Special Collections, UC Davis Library.
Viticulture Grafting House, 1916
UAP_01678, University Archives Photographs, AR-013, Archives and Special Collections, UC Davis Library.
Horticulture display, undated
UAP_01895, University Archives Photographs, AR-013, Archives and Special Collections, UC Davis Library.
Cooperage exhibit at Picnic Day, 2023
(UC Davis/Gregory Urquiaga)
Free fig trees at Picnic Day, 2023
(UC Davis/Gregory Urquiaga)
A student learns about rats at Picnic Day, 2023
(UC Davis/Karin Higgins)
DataLab exhibit at Picnic Day, 2023
(UC Davis/Gregory Urquiaga)
Museum of Wildlife, Fish, and Biology at Picnic Day, 2023
(UC Davis/Gregory Urquiaga)

 

6. The Band

Between their role in the parade and the Battle of the Bands, the UC Davis Marching Band is another essential part of Picnic Day! These two drum majors, one from the 1950s and the other from 2023, lead their bands through campus streets with equal dedication.

The marching band, 1950-59
UAP_01844, University Archives Photographs, AR-013, Archives and Special Collections, UC Davis Library.

 

 

UC Davis Marching Band at Picnic Day, 2023
(UC Davis/Gregory Urquiaga)

 

7. The Food

Carbonated fruit beverages, picnic marmalade and milkshakes were just some of the food offerings at Picnic Days of the past. This fruit booth (undated) and food menu (1916) were selling their food for pennies! Recently, some of the food has become more experimental, whether it's sorbet made with liquid nitrogen or endless kinds of honey. 

Visitors enjoying food and drink at Picnic Day, undated
UAP_01885, University Archives Photographs, AR-013, Archives and Special Collections, UC Davis Library.
Menu at Picnic Day, 1916
UAP_01680, University Archives Photographs, AR-013, Archives and Special Collections, UC Davis Library.
Students make liquid nitrogen sorbet at Picnic Day, 2023
(UC Davis/Gregory Urquiaga)
Visitors try different kinds of honey at Picnic Day, 2023
(UC Davis/Gregory Urquiaga)

8. The Live Performances

Live performances have always been and still are some of the most exciting parts of the day! The pictures below show a melodrama (1961), the Piedmont Highland Lassies performing in the parade (1964) and a singing group gracing the quad with music (1954). From last year, a live band and the UC Davis Marching Band captivated audiences.

Melodrama performance at Picnic Day, 1961
UAP_01783, University Archives Photographs, AR-013, Archives and Special Collections, UC Davis Library.

 

Singing performance in the Quad at Picnic Day, 1954
UAP_03103, University Archives Photographs, AR-013, Archives and Special Collections, UC Davis Library.
Piedmont Highland Lassies in the parade at Picnic Day, 1964
UAP_01811, University Archives Photographs, AR-013, Archives and Special Collections, UC Davis Library.

 

A band performs on stage at Picnic Day, 2023
(UC Davis/Karin Higgins)
Marching band in the parade at Picnic Day, 2023
(UC Davis/Gregory Urquiaga)

 

9. The Fashion Show

This student-centered fashion show features student designs and models, in both the past and the present. Always well-attended and eye-catching, this yearly show is another key Picnic Day event. Often featuring a special guest or two, LeShelle May struts her stuff in the 2022 show!

Fashion show at Picnic Day, undated
UAP_01819, University Archives Photographs, AR-013, Archives and Special Collections, UC Davis Library.

 

Fashion show at Picnic Day, undated
UAP_01830, University Archives Photographs, AR-013, Archives and Special Collections, UC Davis Library.
LeShelle May walks in the fashion show at Picnic Day, 2022
(UC Davis/Karin Higgins)
A student walks in the fashion show at Picnic Day, 2022
(UC Davis/Karin Higgins)

 

10. The Dogs of Davis

Did you know that there used to be sheepdog trials at Picnic Day? These cute collies were tested on their working abilities by herding sheep. These days, dogs are still widespread at Picnic Day. However, they're more often resting than running! 

A sheepdog herds sheep during sheepdog trials, 1965
UAP_01788, University Archives Photographs, AR-013, Archives and Special Collections, UC Davis Library.
Sheepdogs herd sheep during sheepdog trials, undated
UAP_01838, University Archives Photographs, AR-013, Archives and Special Collections, UC Davis Library.
A dog sits on a bench at Picnic Day, 2023
(UC Davis/Karin Higgins)
A dog sits in a backpack at Picnic Day, 2023
(UC Davis/Karin Higgins)
A dog sits in a sling at Picnic Day, 2023
(UC Davis/Karin Higgins)

 

Don't miss Picnic Day on April 20 for this year's parade, dachshund race, student performances and more! Follow @ucdpicnicday to keep up with official Picnic Day updates, and follow @ucdavis.life for more student events and opportunities. Check out the official ASUCD Picnic Day website for more information about the upcoming Picnic Palooza.

Colored illustration of a dachshund

About the author

Robin Dewis, a fourth-year English and Medieval Studies double major, is the editorial and content creation assistant at Student Affairs Marketing and Communications.