Despite a day of rain that ended just before picnic time, the largest crowd in years gathered in the Evergreen House meadow on Friday evening, July 26, to share food, fellowship and fun with colleagues and their families at the annual Hopkins Picnic.

Faculty, staff, students, retirees and alumni brought children, grandchildren, relatives and friends to enjoy an all-you-can-eat feast cooked up by Hopkins "celebrity" grillers, plus DJ dancing, games and children's activities. Orioles and Ravens mascots drew crowds of cheering children as they rode in on the back of a bright red pickup truck. Back by popular demand was William Spink Jr. of the Housing Office, who enthralled children as Bill the Magician and created balloon hats and animals as Bill the Balloon Dude.

Perhaps the most popular activity was the new celebrity dunking booth, which drew enthusiastic crowds of dunkers and spectators and raised more than $270 for United Way of Central Maryland at three throws for a dollar. Volunteering to be dunked were Amy Yerkes, associate dean of SPSBE; Dan Weiss, dean of Arts and Sciences; Dennis O'Shea, executive director of Communications and Public Affairs; Judy Peregoff, director of Faculty, Staff and Retiree Programs; Jim Zeller, associate provost for budgets and planning; Fred Puddester, executive director of budget and financial planning and analysis; and Jerry Schnydman, executive assistant to the president.
--Caterina Provost-Smith

All wet: Dan Weiss taking his turn in the dunking booth

Three men and a grill: Steven David, Andrew Douglas and Jerry Schnydman

Jim McGill, aka 'Dr. McGrill'

Stephanie Reel as 'Chef Steph'

Dinner time for the Bill Leslie family