Penn Family Day is not your average "company picnic."

From its humble beginnings 19 years ago as a day to treat employees to a free football game and picnic lunch, the annual affair, hosted by Penn Athletics and the Division of Human Resources (HR), has grown into a daylong funfest expected to draw thousands.

The 2011 celebration, scheduled for Saturday, Oct. 22, begins with a 10:30 a.m. tailgate party (rain or shine) in the parking area on the north side of Franklin Field, followed by the Penn vs. Yale football game at noon.

Employees have until Monday, Oct. 17, to go online and order up to four free tickets for the tailgate party and game, or purchase tickets in person at the Athletics Ticket Office in Weightman Hall. Additional tickets cost $8 each. 

The tailgate party will offer a smorgasbord of free food—hotdogs, meatball subs, vegetarian and child-friendly fare—along with games, face painting, a moon bounce, a 30-foot "survival island" with a 13-foot climbing wall and feats of strength. Attendees with a PennCard can park for free in Lot #7.

The PennCard is the golden ticket throughout Penn Family Day, allowing free admission to the “Imagine Africa” exhibition at the Penn Museum, free skating at the Penn Ice Rink at the Class of 1923 Arena (skate rentals are available for $2.50), and free entry to the women’s and men’s soccer games at Rhodes Field. Both teams battle Yale. The women play at 5 p.m.; the men play at 7:30 p.m.

“What other employer offers a tailgate party, football game, soccer games, Museum visit and ice skating at their company family day?” says Marilyn Kraut, director of HR’s Quality of Worklife programs. “We get great feedback every year.”

For a full schedule of events, maps, directions and parking information, visit the Human Resources website.