Features

Cal Day Picture and Weather Perfect (Photo Essay)

By Steven Finacom
Monday April 23, 2012 - 04:15:00 PM
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The Cal Band highlighted a mid-day rally on a packed Sproul Plaza at Cal Day on Saturday.
Andy Liu
The Cal Band highlighted a mid-day rally on a packed Sproul Plaza at Cal Day on Saturday.
A giant pencil reading “Tax The Rich To Teach The Children” passed in front of a crowded Sather Gate.
Steven Finacom
A giant pencil reading “Tax The Rich To Teach The Children” passed in front of a crowded Sather Gate.
Ken Finger, Museum Scientist in the Museum of Paleontology, explained dinosaur fossils on behind the scenes tours.
Steven Finacom
Ken Finger, Museum Scientist in the Museum of Paleontology, explained dinosaur fossils on behind the scenes tours.
The mysteries of mushrooms were revealed outside the University and Jepson Herbariums.
Steven Finacom
The mysteries of mushrooms were revealed outside the University and Jepson Herbariums.
Cal banners were in evidence everywhere.
Steven Finacom
Cal banners were in evidence everywhere.
Student astronomers set up solar telescopes and a sun dial near Sather Gate.
Steven Finacom
Student astronomers set up solar telescopes and a sun dial near Sather Gate.
Student prints were for sale in the Department of Art Practice.
Steven Finacom
Student prints were for sale in the Department of Art Practice.
An inflatable Oski loomed over Memorial Glade, next to the Rally Committee’s Victory Cannon.
Steven Finacom
An inflatable Oski loomed over Memorial Glade, next to the Rally Committee’s Victory Cannon.
The real Oski posed for pictures.
Steven Finacom
The real Oski posed for pictures.
Visitors checked their programs at the top of Campanile Way, with the Golden Gate view in the distance.
Steven Finacom
Visitors checked their programs at the top of Campanile Way, with the Golden Gate view in the distance.
A mariachi band performs outside the Phoebe Hearst Museum of Anthropology.
Andy Liu
A mariachi band performs outside the Phoebe Hearst Museum of Anthropology.
Bikini clad Cal atheists (“There is no God. So relax and be happy”) attracted attention in Sproul Plaza.
Andy Liu
Bikini clad Cal atheists (“There is no God. So relax and be happy”) attracted attention in Sproul Plaza.
Students in armor from different eras and countries inside Sather Gate.
Andy Liu
Students in armor from different eras and countries inside Sather Gate.
By late afternoon, with temperatures in the 80s, Memorial Glade resembled a beach.
Andy Liu
By late afternoon, with temperatures in the 80s, Memorial Glade resembled a beach.
Crowds gathered in the Glade to hear Dr. Dog perform on the steps of the century-old Doe Library.
Andy Liu
Crowds gathered in the Glade to hear Dr. Dog perform on the steps of the century-old Doe Library.
Slack line artists demonstrated their styles on the Campanile Esplanade as crowds lined up to ascend the adjacent tower.
Steven Finacom
Slack line artists demonstrated their styles on the Campanile Esplanade as crowds lined up to ascend the adjacent tower.
A Cal-themed dog crossed Lower Sproul Plaza.
Steven Finacom
A Cal-themed dog crossed Lower Sproul Plaza.
What would Berkeley be without the occasional appearance of tie-dye?
Steven Finacom
What would Berkeley be without the occasional appearance of tie-dye?
Cal Football players take a ride to their Spring Scrimmage at Edwards Track Stadium.
Steven Finacom
Cal Football players take a ride to their Spring Scrimmage at Edwards Track Stadium.
The day was so warm that freshly cleaned Ludwig’s Fountain became an impromptu wading pond.
Steven Finacom
The day was so warm that freshly cleaned Ludwig’s Fountain became an impromptu wading pond.
Children clambered on the ancient California Buckeye tree in Faculty Glade.
Steven Finacom
Children clambered on the ancient California Buckeye tree in Faculty Glade.
Nearby, it was simply time to relax and read a good book in the summer-like warmth.
Steven Finacom
Nearby, it was simply time to relax and read a good book in the summer-like warmth.

Nature delivered beautiful, balmy, weather for the Saturday, April 21, 2012 “Cal Day” annual open house on the UC Berkeley campus. 

By ten o’clock in the morning some of the campus roadways and paths looked as busy as they do on a regular weekday, and the crowds continued without let up until past 3:00 p.m..  

Hundreds of campus departments and student organizations offered mostly free tours, information, entertainment, and orientations throughout the day. Although a large part of the Cal Day audience is always made up of children and prospective students, adults of all ages also enjoyed the campus-wide festivities. 

Here’s a photo essay of some sights during the activity packed day.