Although the modern picnic     1    (believe) to be a concept originating in Europe in the 1700s, China’s version of such excursions (短途旅行), commonly known     2    “spring outings” or “stepping on the green”, can be traced back to at     3    (little) the Wei and Jin dynasties (220-420) when people went on excursions or held banquets (宴会) by the water     4    (celebrate) the Shangsi Festival on the third day of the third lunar month. Scholars would drink and compose     5    (poem) by streams.

The activity became more common among women as well in the Tang dynasty (618-907). A special picnic for women, often daughters of officials and rich families,     6    (emerge). As recorded in the book A History of the Tang Under Emperor Xuanzong’s Reign, groups of ladies would compete on the value and beauty of the flowers they wrote     7    (normal) between the two spring solar terms “The Beginning of Spring” and “Rain Water”.

In the Song dynasty (960-1279), the Qingming Festival     8     Tomb Sweeping Festival included traditions of the Shangsi Festival and the Cold Food Festival,     9     cold food was eaten. At that time, people had a seven-day holiday for the festival, and would not only pay respect to     10     dead, but also enjoy scenery, food, and drinks on spring excursions.

2 . Central Park Picnic Experiences

Having a picnic with family, friends or colleagues at the Pool with iconic views of the NYC backdrop would give you good feelings. We handle all aspects of your event from beginning to end, so you can just show up and have a great time! Fresh baked service! — You can now add games to any picnic experience (details below).

Family-Style Picnic

Serves a minimum of 15 people

Our family-style picnic experience is perfect for big groups! Includes set up & clean up, plus fruits and food. Also includes coolers with ice, blankets, pillows and parasols (遮阳伞). $60.00 per adult, $30.00 per child. Includes a 2-hour picnic with set up and clean up. $50 per add 1 hour.

Social Picnic Party

Serves 10 to 12 people

Comes complete with an entire picnic set up including extra space, blankets, pillows, parasols. The meal is a sampling of sandwiches, roast chicken, potato salad, seasonal greens, local cheese platter, lemonade, water and something sweet for dessert. Perfect for meeting new friends.

We Love This Formal Picnic!

Serves 4 to 10 people

Looking for something more formal? This is special and for you! Includes set up with a set low-rise table for business talk, a great selection of delicious food, flowers, and clean up! Tips not included — and should go direct to your picnic expert.

Birthday Party Picnic

Serves 2 to 18 people

Besides our signature birthday party cake, we also offer a local cheese platter (拼盘), seasonal salad, chips, lemonade and water, plus cookies & brownies for dessert! When you arrive at your picnic spot, one of our picnic experts will have everything set up, ready and waiting for you when you arrive! Includes a 2-hour picnic for 2 with set up and clean up. Add up to 16 additional guests. $50 per add 1 hour. $50 per add 1 guest. Max 18 guests.

8 . The Central Museum in the Netherlands launched a unique project this month, titled “The Blind Spot,” in a push to enhance accessibility and enjoyment for the visually impaired. This exhibit goes beyond traditional art experiences by recreating well-known paintings with additional dimensions, integrating elements like sound and smell—including the fragrance of ripe cheese. Unlike typical museum rules, visitors are encouraged to touch the artworks.

The project involves the copies of famous paintings, with the addition of representative elements that can be heard or smelled. Visitors, including those with visual impairments, can truly engage with the art, as touchable elements have been integrated. Sighted visitors are even encouraged to wear blindfolds to fully immerse themselves in the experience of works like “Stil life with fruits, nuts, and cheese” by Floris Claesz van Dijck from 1610 and “Stil life (Bowl with apples)” by Bart van der Leck.

The art experience was the brainchild of artist Jasper Cate and designer Jeroen Prins. The inspiration struck when the two were serving food alongside artwork at a food performance event. It took root when a blind woman attending the event expressed being profoundly moved by the experience. “That moment became the starting point,” said Cate.

Visitor Farid El Manssouri clearly enjoyed his experience. A smile lit up his face as he explored the touching elements of cheese, grapes, and bread, all part of the representation of the famous 1610 painting by Floris van Dyck. Sharing his impressions, El Manssouri remarked, “The first thing that struck me was the smell. I could truly sense the scent of the cheese, and I even touched it.” El Manssouri wondered how the food items managed to stay in their seemingly unbalanced positions. “It was incredible. I suppose it was securely attached,” he wowed.

Steffie Maas, the museum’s director, stated that Blind Spot was just one trial on the path to further improvements, emphasizing that improved accessibility and facilities are equally crucial as the exhibition itself.

9 . Visit America’s National Parks for Free on These Six Days in 2024

It’s time to plan a visit to your dream national park destination. For a few days each year, every national park in America is free to visit — including hundreds of national monuments, seashores, historic sites and more.

Less than a quarter of them have entry fees, but those that do charge up to $20 per person or up to $35 per vehicle. Revenue (收入) from these fees stays in the National Park Service to cover visitor services, including improving accessibility, restoring wildlife habitat and more.

“National parks are places that awaken senses, inspire curiosity, encourage reflection, and promote joy,” National Park Service Director Chuck Sams said in a statement. “The entrance fee-free days expand opportunities for people to visit their national parks and experience the beauty and history of our country.”

There’s a new addition to the entrance fee-free days in 2024: Juneteenth, which became recognized as a national holiday on June 17, 2021.

National park free entry days for 2024:

●Jan. 15 — Martin Luther King, Jr. Day

●April 20 — First day of National Park Week

●June 19 — Juneteenth

●Aug. 4 — Great American Outdoors Day

●Sept. 28 — National Public Lands Day

●Nov. 11 — Veterans Day

Fees for certain activities like camping and fishing will still be in place. Additionally, parks operated in partnership with outside parties may charge other types of fees. For instance, Waco Mammoth charges an access fee for its dig shelter. That park is run by the Park Service, together with the City of Waco, Texas, and Baylor University. Visitors can find site-specific details on park websites.