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Davisite Banner. Left side the bicycle obelisk at 3rd and University. Right side the trellis at the entrance to the Arboretum.

Category: Games

  • Davis Goes Undead on Halloween: Zombie Bike Parade Festival Takes Over Community Park on Saturday, Oct. 31

    Costumed riders at Community Park, 2025 (Photo credit: Action Flipbooks)

    A free, all-ages Davis tradition on bikes, with zombie skydivers at the end, raising money for local kids who ride adaptive tricycles

    (From press release) Davis is a bike town, and on Halloween the bikes come out in costume. The Zombie Bike Parade Festival returns on Saturday, Oct. 31, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Community Park, 1405 F St. It’s free, and everyone is welcome.

    The parade (11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.). Zombies, skeletons, witches and whole costumed families ride nearly five miles from Community Park to Mace Ranch Park and back, at an easy pace. Any bicycle works, including e-bikes, cargo bikes and tandems. Helmets are required for riders under 18.

    The festival (11 a.m. to 3 p.m.). Back at Community Park there are more than 25 activity stations, train rides, music, bounce houses, crafts, costume prizes, carnival food, a BMX stunt show and the Zombie Kingdom Quest. The Davis Skateboarding Group hosts a Monster Skate Jam at the Community Park skate park from 12:30 to 2 p.m. Early risers can start the day with the Monster Run Laser Run Challenge from 8 to 10 a.m., a free, timed run with laser target shooting from Davis Fencing Academy.

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  • Davis Farmers Market 50th Anniversary Celebration – Saturday, August 1

    (From press release) For 50 years, the Davis Farmers Market has brought together local farmers, artisans, families, and neighbors, becoming one of the region’s most cherished traditions. Saturday’s celebration will feature special anniversary activities, live entertainment, community partners, and opportunities to experience the vibrant atmosphere of this landmark event.

    Event Details:

    What: Davis Farmers Market 50th Anniversary Celebration
    When: Saturday, August 1, 2026 | 8:00 a.m.–1:00 p.m.
    Where: Central Park, Davis | 301 C Street

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  • Your Last Hand is Played ‘All In’

    By Bertie Brouhard

    As our monthly poker game winds down about 9 PM someone may ask a defining question, “Let’s play this last hand ‘All In?’” Which is to say everyone wanting to play this last hand will wager their entire bank – be it several tall stacks of chips or sadly a few – on the next, the last seven cards  dealt. Winners can become instant losers and vice versa.  Life is much like our simple game of Seven Card Texas Hold-Em.

    Every day’s a gamble. Surely Julie Veress when she pedaled off on her bike or when Brent Leuschen started his Stebbin Canyon hike did either think it would be their last day. Neither did my friends, Bill, Bruce, Marilyn and Ed who also like Julie succumbed to bike accidents. As I look back I remember the sudden loss of friends Gary, Chris, Doc, Bob, Mickey and Francie. Names no doubt come to mind when you think of tragic, unexpected, sudden deaths. The day before he recently passed Senator Lindsey Graham was in Ukraine. Go  figure!

    To be successful at poker like the game of life it’s best to acquire some skill and maybe more precious, some luck. I like you know several who struggle as adults having grown up in loving families, with highly supportive parents providing the best possible opportunities. And others who were raised in foster homes, homeless perhaps, or with alcohol or drug addicted parents offering little, grew into happy, well adjusted, productive adults and parents. Mysteries abound.

    Some hopefully more today than in prior generations have the needed drive, motivation, ambition, determination to play the game well. The who, what, why, when, where and especially “how” of this needed IT fascinates me. I do know as in poker there’s skill and luck needed and there’s limited time to win in life.

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  • It’s Right There In Your Backyard

    By Bertie Brouhard

    Yes. Your backyard; figuratively and maybe literally. Some reading this may not have a backyard. Most with a family unit I suspect do. But like mine it’s California and rather small and fenced in. It might have a pool; likely not. But certainly it has possibilities for some summer fun; perhaps badminton, ping pong,  croquet, your hacky sack, horse shoe or cornhole area or an archery (yikes) range. In my youth I tried it all including a makeshift baseball batting cage that did not even slightly improve my hitting.

    As for your family I envision two parent figures and two youngsters and while I encourage everyone to read on, this column has these four in mind.

    One of my granddaughters once asked me “Were you ever four?” She was curious. I must have looked ancient to her. I smiled and told her it’s a wonderful age. About that time 1950 C.E. or so mine and other parents of my buds let us sleep outside in someone’s backyard on warm, humid, star studded Nebraska summer nights. I don’t recall tents but remember the many mosquitoes, the sound of UP freight trains and back porch lights and our flashlights. Feigning sleep around ten I suppose we were off on our bikes roaming the many streets, parks, construction sites and gardens in our small town. We knew where the best melons, apples, rhubarb and strawberries could be picked and where others; especially girls our age, might join us for our jaunts. It all went well until our neighbor, the ever vigilant spinster, Mrs. Pierceson, ratted us out. She caused a month’s pause in our adventures, having told my dad, “I saw your son and a couple of his “ruffian” friends downtown last night. (Just what is a “ruffian?”)

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  • Davis Pride is ready to bring the rainbows and glitter back to the community

    The Davis PrideFest will include performances by local drag performers like Eva Changing. (Photo credit: Photos by Grey)

    (From press release) The 12th annual Davis Pride will bring a month of events to celebrate and support the local LGBTQ+ community, with Davis PrideFest, a fun run, trivia, and the annual comedy night.

    The month-long celebration will start with PrideFest, taking place at Civic Center Park, at 6th and B streets behind Davis City Hall, from 4:00 to 9:00 p.m. on Saturday, June 6. This family-friendly event features a music festival, community vendors, food trucks, drinks, and a drag revue.

    “At a time when nationwide we’re seeing attacks on LGBTQ+ rights and organizations turning their back on Pride events, we are proud to offer a community-driven event supported by local artists, businesses, and volunteers,” said Sandré Henriquez Nelson, Director of Pride Events for the Davis Phoenix Coalition.

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  • Rainbow crosswalks returning to Davis

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    Davis Pride volunteers move stencils on May 26, 2024, after painting a crosswalk at Fifth and B streets in Davis. The area crosswalks will be painted again from 6 to 9 a.m. on Sunday, May 25. (Photo by Wendy Weitzel)

    (From press release) To set the tone for Pride Month in June, volunteers will paint rainbow crosswalks around Davis’ Central Park between 6 and 9 a.m. on Sunday, May 25.

    The nine crosswalks around Davis’ Central Park will be painted with a temporary spray chalk. Volunteers start at 6 a.m. at Fifth and C street and work counter-clockwise to the final crosswalk at Fourth and C streets.

    The rainbow crosswalks are the first of many Davis Pride events, including:

    May 25: Volunteers will paint rainbow crosswalks around Davis’ Central Park, from 6 to 9 a.m.

    June 5: Sing with Pride at the UC Davis Mondavi Center, 7 p.m.

    June 7: Pride is a Protest rally, Central Park, downtown Davis, 2 to 3 p.m.

    June 7: The 11th annual Davis PrideFest, a community fair and music festival, from 3 to 8 p.m. in Civic Center Park, Sixth and B streets, with title sponsors Dignity Health and Woodland Clinic Medical Group

    June 8: The 11th annual Run/Walk for Equality, 8 a.m. to noon from Central Park

    June 14: Skate with Pride, 7 to 9 p.m. in Central Park

    June 19: Drink with Pride trivia night 6 to 9 p.m. at Dunloe Brewing Co., 1606 Olive Drive

    June 27: Davis Pride Comedy Night presented by Laughs on the Lake, 5:30 to 9 p.m. Stonegate Country Club, 919 Lake Blvd.

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  • Ada Vox headlines 2025 Davis PrideFest

    Ada Vox publicity photo 2025

    Ada Vox was a Top 8 contestant on ABC’s “American Idol,” and runner up in 2022 on the Paramount+ drag queen singing competition “Queen of the Universe.” (Courtesy photo)

    Drag queen Ada Vox will be the headline performer at the 2025 Davis PrideFest on June 7. The event is just one of a month’s worth of local activities to celebrate LGBTQ+ pride, including a fun run, skate and comedy nights, and plenty of drag queens.

    The activities share the theme “Forever Loud and Proud!”

    The 11th annual Davis PrideFest is at Civic Center Park, at Sixth and B streets, behind Davis City Hall. The community-focused, family-friendly event includes a music festival, resources, vendors, food, drinks and more – from 3 to 8 p.m. on Saturday, June 7.

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    Ada Vox performs at the 2022 Davis Pride event. This year’s festival is June 7. (Photo by Wendy Weitzel)

    Ada Vox was a semi-finalist in ABC’s “American Idol” in 2018, and the runner up in 2022 on the Paramount+ drag queen singing competition “Queen of the Universe.” She performed at the 2022 Davis Pride event. The San Antonio-based singer lists her influences as Lady Gaga, Beyoncé, Aretha Franklin and Patti Labelle. Notable performances include The Animals’ “House of the Rising Sun,” Jennifer Holiday’s “And I am Telling You I am Not Going,” and Journey’s “Open Arms.” She was the first drag queen make the “American Idol” Top 8.

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  • Picnic in the Park returns to Davis on May 7

    ChasePIP2024

    Patrons enjoy the first Picnic in the Park of the 2024 season. The annual Davis Farmers Market tradition returns in May, and runs every Wednesday through September from 4 to 8 p.m. in Central Park. (Wendy Weitzel/Courtesy photos)

    (From press release) The music, food and family fun of Picnic in the Park returns to the Davis Farmers Market on Wednesday, May 7.

    The popular event is every Wednesday from 4 to 8 p.m., May through September. A local band plays each night. There’s children’s entertainment, loads of food vendors, and plenty of opportunity to gather as a community. October through April, there’s a traditional farmers market on Wednesdays, from 3 to 6 p.m.

    Bands on the 2025 Picnic in the Park schedule are: Cold Shot (dance party) on May 7; Kindred Spirits (folk rock) on May 14; The Teds (rock) on May 21; According to Bazooka (indie, folk, pop) on May 28; The Geoffrey Miller Band (rockabilly) on June 4; 5-Star Alcatraz (indie, alt rock) on June 11; Julie and the Jukes (classic blues) on June 18; Now and Then (“back in the day” covers) on June 25; The Hey Nows (folk rock, Americana) on July 2; It’s About Time (big band) on July 9; Stout Rebellion (Irish folk with a rock edge) on July 16; Vaca Jazz Society (big-band jazz) on July 23; Katalysst (indie folk rock) on July 30; Island Crew (beach tunes) on Aug. 6; The Ron Goldberg Quartet (classic covers) on Aug. 13; Wealth of Nations (classic rock, acoustic) on Aug. 20; New Harmony Jazz Band (big-band jazz) on Aug. 27; Odd Man Out (folk rock) on Sept. 3; The Teds (singable, danceable rock) on Sept. 10; sKeTcHy (rock, pop, folk) on Sept. 17; and Penny Lane (Beatles covers) on Sept. 24.

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  • Tenth Davis Pride kicks off on June 1

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    A drag queen interacts with a young festivalgoer at the 2023 Davis Pride Festival. (Wendy Weitzel/Courtesy photo)

    By Wendy Weitzel

    The rainbow crosswalks are being painted Sunday in downtown Davis, signaling the path to a month full of Davis Pride celebrations ahead in June.

    This is the 10th year of Davis Pride activities, organized by the nonprofit Davis Phoenix Coalition. For 2024, highlights include the Davis Pride Community Fair and Music Festival, an after party, a fun run, skate night, comedy night, and plenty of drag.

    This year’s theme is “Davis Pride – Because Yolo County is for Everyone!” It follows the Davis Phoenix Coalition’s recent lawn sign messages “Davis is for Everyone” and “Yolo County is for Everyone,” to counter the far-right actions experienced in the community.

    The 10th annual Davis Pride Community Fair and Music Festival has a new location this year: Civic Center Park, at Sixth and B streets. The community-focused, family-friendly event includes a music festival, resources, vendors, food, drinks and more – from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday, June 1.

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  • Past honored in 10th year of Davis Pride

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    Gloria Partida, left, Jessica Uzarski, Yolo County Supervisor Lucas Frerichs and Mily Ron jump for joy after volunteers complete the rainbow crosswalk painting in downtown Davis on May 30, 2023. This year’s painting will be from 6 to 9 a.m. on Sunday, May 26 around Central Park in Davis. (Courtesy photo)

    By Wendy Weitzel

    As the Davis Phoenix Coalition marks its 10th year of Davis Pride activities next month, its members also want to honor those who painted that rainbow road.

    Pride celebrations in Davis go much deeper than a decade. Every June from 1996 to 2006, local LGBTQ+ activists Shelly Bailes and Ellen Pontac coordinated the Yolo County Lesbian and Gay Picnic Day. After it took a hiatus, the event was revived in 2015 by the nonprofit Davis Phoenix Coalition, which rebranded it as Davis Pride. Rising from its origins as a single-day event with 500 participants in the 1990s, it has become a monthlong June celebration, drawing close to 10,000 people. These participants come from all segments of the local population, happy to gather in support of LGBTQ+ rights.

    This year, highlights include the Davis Pride Community Fair and Music Festival, an after party, a fun run, skate night, comedy night, and plenty of drag.

    Gloria Partida founded the Davis Phoenix Coalition in 2013 after her son, Lawrence “Mikey” Partida was brutally beaten in an anti-gay attack. She and other organizers started Davis Pride with the idea of a fun run, and added a family-friendly festival for the whole community.

    Despite successes like the federal legalization of same-sex marriage in 2015, they knew Davis Pride would be controversial. She saw what Bailes and Pontac went through. “They had a lot of pushback when they were doing the work,” Partida said.

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