Picnic game

A picnic game is a game played at an outdoor meal or picnic.

A game of softball at a company picnic in the United States, 1974

Types

Games played at a picnic may use the food which has been brought. Heavy food such as a watermelon may be used in a relay race which also serves the purpose of transport the food to the eating area. After it is consumed, the seed or stones of fruit like cherries may be used for a spitting contest game or marbles.[1]

History

In the mid 19th century, picnic games were organised by charities in the US to raise funds. In the 1880s, companies started to sponsor such picnic events for publicity and to gain the favour of their employees.[2] The black community was segregated at this time but to gain respectability, games such a baseball were organised by black politicians at picnics in municipal parks and fairgrounds.[3]

Organisation

If a large crowd is expected for picnic because it is a community event then some organisation will be required. A schedule of events will be drawn up and events will be organised for different levels of ability and types of participant: men, women, adults and children. Handbills, notices and tickets may be used to publicise and administer the events.[4]

References
  1. Terry Orlick (2006), "Picnic Games", Cooperative Games And Sports, Human Kinetics, pp. 83–84, ISBN 9780736057974
  2. Steven A. Riess (1995), Sport in industrial America, 1850-1920, pp. 74, 85, 107, ISBN 9780882959160
  3. Steven A. Riess (1991), City Games: The Evolution of American Urban Society and the Rise of Sports, University of Illinois Press, p. 113, ISBN 9780252062162
  4. Clark L. Fredrikson (1942), The Picnic Book, National Recreation Association


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