Since the first one back in May 1909, Picnic Day has fully established itself as the headline event for UC Davis and the greater Davis community. Nearly 2,200 people attended that day’s festivities.

Since then, that number has pleasantly exploded into the tens of thousands, as the annual open house, which made an in-person return in 2022, now attracts people from all over California wanting to take a peek at what various departments the heralded university has to offer.

“In my eyes, Picnic Day is a festival that brings out all of the greatness of UC Davis,” said this year’s Picnic Day Chair Mina Sarmah. “Whether that’s through all of the different entertainers on campus or throughout the Davis community or our over 200 different exhibits that highlight our campus departments. I think it really shows off the greatness that UC Davis has to offer.”

Sarmah has been on the Picnic Day Student Board since her freshman year in 2022.

“I’m super excited to be the chair this year,” Sarmah said. “I feel like during my past three years on the board, I really got the chance to make a lot of good connections and friends and really understand what it means to have a community in Davis and so this year, I’m hoping to give that love and appreciation that I got throughout my three years there back.

“I feel like every year’s Picnic Day has so much potential within our board but with the event itself. This past summer, my vice chair and I got a chance to think of new ideas we would like to implement, and we are super excited to see those through this year.”

During the 110th Picnic Day earlier this year in April, Sarmah mentioned the event saw an uptick in participation and attendance.

“Last year, we had a large increase in turnout, about 30% across all of our events, and this is something we are hoping to continue this year,” she said. “Whether that is by increasing activity by making more interactive installments of games throughout campus to fill out the place or create more college-centered interactions and zones.

“I think its really cool to see the number of students on campus excited to show off their student organization. Just in general, the number of people coming out to Picnic Day is increasing every year, and I think it is super fun to see. It’s all about our community. Showing off what we have to offer but then also giving joy and love to our community.”The upcoming Picnic Day, scheduled for April 15, 2025, is set to be the 111th rendition. While it doesn’t land on a banner or even number like the 110th, it is no less monumental to Sarmah and the rest of the student board.

“I think it’s neat that we are able to uphold 111 years of legacy that is Picnic Day, and that is the reason we are standing here today putting on events like this for our campus,” Sarmah reflected. “It’s really cool to think that we have been around for that long, and we are super excited to keep that legacy and tradition but then also have a more modern take on the day with these changing times.”

Top exhibits or events slated to return in 2025 include the beloved Doxie Derby, the Chemistry Department Magic Show, the Lazer Maze, the frisbee dog throwing contest on Hutchinson Field, the Student Organization Fair, which has recently become one of the most favored events, and many more.

The Picnic Day Parade will also return and cruise through downtown Davis.

“Like every year, the parade will be back again,” Sarmah confirmed. “We are all super excited for it. I think the parade is a great way to kick off picnic day. It really shows all the nooks and crannies of UC Davis but also our Davis community which I think is super fun. I think it’s a cool way to show Davis residents or prospective Davis students what our school and community is all about.”

In 2024, the theme of Picnic Day was “‘Picnic Palooza,” representing a way of celebrating the fun and joy that Picnic Day brings and what it means to the student board.

While the theme for 2025 will be announced later in the year, Sarmah mentioned it would be something that “means a lot to the board and to the Davis community.”

“I had never heard of the day before coming to UC Davis,” Sarmah said. “Just getting to see everyone come out, especially our first year coming out of COVID-19, and seeing their excitement to be back is when I realized this day means a lot. To have the greatness of UC Davis, Davis, and the Yollo County community all in one place and getting to see it all at once truly means a lot to a lot of people. We can’t wait to bring that energy back this year.”