Vanderbilt University’s “Meet the Candidates” picnic on July 19 is expected to be one of the largest and most colorful political gatherings prior to the Metropolitan Nashville General Election. The candidates’ picnic, which starts at 11:30 a.m., will be on the Vanderbilt campus at Olin Lawn, located on 25th Avenue between Garland and Highland avenues. In the event of rain, the location will be the Memorial Practice Gym.
The entire Vanderbilt community, including the university’s neighbors, will have the opportunity to learn more about the candidates and issues in the Aug. 2 local election. More than 70 percent of Vanderbilt’s approximately 20,000 employees live in Davidson County.
“The Vanderbilt picnic has become a Nashville political tradition,” said Michael Schoenfeld, vice chancellor for public affairs at Vanderbilt. “Our city will make critical decisions about leadership in the next few weeks, and Vanderbilt wants to help all voters become educated about the issues and the candidates.”
In the style of an old-fashioned campaign, all candidates on the Metro ballot, including those for mayor and vice mayor and all the council at-large and district contests, are invited to stand on a soapbox in Vanderbilt’s “public square” and briefly introduce themselves to the audience. Candidates are encouraged also to “work the crowd” by shaking hands with the attendees and displaying or distributing campaign literature.
A complimentary picnic lunch will be served and live Dixieland jazz will add to the festive atmosphere.
Maps to identify the various districts will be available at the picnic, which is sponsored by the Office of Community, Neighborhood and Government Relations in the Division of Public Affairs.
Live streaming video of the Candidates’ Picnic will be available on VUCast, http://www.vanderbilt.edu/news, beginning at 11:30 a.m. that day. Archived video will be available after the event.
For more information, call 615-322-6511.
Media Contact: Ann Marie Deer Owens, 615-322-NEWS
annmarie.owens@vanderbilt.edu