- What is the Festival?
da Vinci Days is a weekend summer Festival that features races
of all kinds, art to create or admire, music and street performers,
hands-on activities that teach in a fun way, movies to watch,
speakers who inspire, and nerdy stuff for now and the future.
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- When is da Vinci Days?
The Festival happens every year on the third weekend in July.
Mark your calendars for July 16-18, 2010!
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- Why do we have to pay to attend?
Admission fees comprise over 60% of festival revenue. We
alsoreceive the support of OSU, the City of Corvallis, and Benton
County, and many other donors and sponsors, but the festival is not
fully funded by these entities. We need to cover the cost of
materials, advertising, office expenses, performers, insurance, and
only one paid staff position. It costs as little as it does because
of our hundreds of faithful and energetic volunteers who turn out
every year, some working year-round to put on the Festival.
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- Can I bring my dog?
For the health and safety of everyone, dogs are not allowed
inside the Festival gates. Of course dogs are welcome at Canine
Frisbee, which is just outside the gates.
While dogs are not prohibited at the Mud Bog venue, we encourage
you not to bring them. It's a very congested
area and can be very sunny and hot for your dog. On-leash is
required at this venue.
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- Where is the Main Stage?
The Main Stage is near the Main Entrance, at 11th Street and
Madison Avenue, on the easternmost portion of the OSU Campus. Most
events are located on the Oregon State University campus and
towards downtown Corvallis, along Madison Avenue. The Festival's
Main Gate is at 11th Street & Madison Avenue.
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- Why are there so many events at the same time?
Yes, we do fit a lot into three days. We try to stagger event
schedules whenever possible. Be sure to review the at-a-glance
schedule to find the events that are your top priority.
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- May we bring in outside food or alcoholic beverages?
Please leave picnics and coolers at home; they are not allowed
inside the gates. We provide a wide variety of food and drink
during Festival weekend to satisfy all tastes and budgets.
Due to OLCC regulations, no alcohol may be brought in to the
Festival.
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- Is the Festival wheelchair accessible?
The Festival site is a grassy park area with an asphalt path
running through the middle. If the ground is damp from rainfall, it
is difficult terrain for some wheelchairs. We provide an ADA
drop-off/pick up location near the Main Entrance and Festival
Shuttles are ADA accessible.
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- Kinetic Sculptures?
Yes sculptures
that race! Think of them as art on wheels (or, on segmented, insect
legs), human powered and environmentally friendly! The race was
renamed the Graand Kinetic Challenge in 2008 to recognize race
founder Raan Young's early efforts and continuing contributions to
this iconic da Vinci event.
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- A Festival for all ages?
The Festival is a celebration of our community. There are
activities and events offered with families and children in
mind. Others are for teenagers and still others for adults. Most
programming is designed for an intergenerational audience.
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- Keynote speaker?
In 2009, OSU scientist and research
Chris Goldfinger spoke about the latest tsunami research as
part of the 50th anniversary celebration of the OSU College of
Oceanic and Atmospheric Sciences.
In 2008, Nobel-prize winner and
celebrated OSU alumnus Linus Pauling was recognized for his forward
thinking work in a keynote by acclaimed biographer Thomas Hager.
In 2007, Nobel-prize-winning physicist and Corvallis native Carl Wieman talked about quantum weirdness at
the lowest temperature in the universe.
In 2006, audiences got an inside view of the space station through
the eyes of NASA astronaut and OSU alum Don Pettit.
In 2005, Hans
Queisser opened the common ground between art and science. A
man behind the scenes, Dr. Queisser was a key player in the Silicon
Valley revolution.
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