As yet another Picnic Day looms menacingly on our doorstep, a number of us who consider ourselves “lifers” in this town may long for the simpler days of long ago.

Back when living groups spent many days and nights constructing elaborate floats out behind some remote campus barn.

Back when dozens of high school bands from northern and central California marched proudly in the Picnic Day parade.

Back when a kid could climb a mighty campus cork oak for a better view of the parade and no one in authority would tell him to get down because “it’s really not safe for a child up there.”

Back when Toomey Field played host to the biggest one day high school track and field meet in the world, as over a thousand competitors from all over the state competed mightily until the sun went down.

Back when families actually brought picnics to be enjoyed on the quad before the kids set out in a futile attempt to win the Greased Pig contest.

Back when a Dixie Cup of ice cream — complete with a wooden spoon — could be had for a single nickel from the campus’ very own dairy.

Back before alcohol was King.

Well, as good as the good old days were, they were not without problems of their own.

Let me take you back to 2004, when things got so bad the Davis City Council took matters into its own hands by passing “An ordinance of the City of Davis amending Section 19.04.090 of Article 10 and Section 35.04.150 of Article 35 of the Davis Municipal Code prohibiting the sale of Silly String by peddlers on Picnic Day and the propulsion of objects towards persons or property in a parade.”

And never mind that “towards” should more properly have been “toward.” The council at the time had not yet mastered the finer points of the English language.

“WHEREAS, the City Council finds that property has been damaged and persons have been injured by objects, including Silly String, thrown or propelled by members of the public viewing parades within the city;”

Thrown or propelled by members of the public? Heck, I was standing too near the “float” carrying several members of our esteemed City Council that year and one of my very own elected representatives sprayed me directly in the right eye with Silly String, laughing as she did so. Indeed, this ordinance was hatched to protect the citizens of Davis from their council’s own misbehavior.

“WHEREAS, the City Council finds that an unusual amount of Silly String has been sold by peddlers on Picnic Day and that the use of Silly String on Picnic Day has resulted in increased litter and damaged property of both Picnic Day parade participants and observers; and WHEREAS, the City Council finds that Silly String has the potential to damage real and personal property, and this Ordinance is necessary for the public health, safety and welfare.”

Now, if you read between the lines and substitute the word “alcohol” for “Silly String,” you’ll see the council then had considerably more control over our health, safety and welfare than the council does now. Of course, Silly String is not — and never was — under the exclusive control of the California Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control.

“ ‘Peddler’ is defined as any person who sells and makes immediate delivery or offers for sale and immediate delivery any goods, wares, merchandise, service or thing in the possession of the seller, at any place in the city other than at a fixed place of business. No peddler shall sell, nor shall a business license be granted for the sale of, Silly String or any similar product that causes a foam-like material to be propelled out of an aerosol container on the annual Picnic Day conducted by the University of California at Davis.”

But come the day after Picnic Day, dear friends, you’re on your own.

 — Reach Bob Dunning at [email protected]

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