Happy Birthday, UC Santa Cruz Banana Slug! and Happy Birthday, UC Irvine Anteater! Both California state universities were founded in 1965 and turn 50 this year. At UC Santa Cruz they're taking it to the streets on October 25, 2015. The first-time-on-the-planet” Slug Parade and Expo in Downtown Santa Cruz is part of the community's celebration of the 50th Anniversary of UCSC. A parade in the innovative and creative community built on the theme of Banana Slugs promises to be awesome, hilarious and something you need to be a part of, says the Downtown Association (downtownsantacruz.com). They are encouraging everyone to sign up with entries. By the way, the Banana Slug Parade gives no guarantees that it won't move at a snail's pace.

At UC Irvine, home to Peter the Anteater mascot, they're celebrating the 50th with Festival of Discovery (festivalofdiscovery.uci.edu) on October 3, 2015. The free festival kicks off with the Anteater 5k Fun Run in which participants run through the decades with deejays playing music and themed décor of the 60s through today. Festivalgoers are also invited to explore interdisciplinary themed pavilions, including Health + Wellness, Ingenuity + Innovation, Local + Global Impact and Arts + Culture. There bands, student performances, food trucks and possibly some ants sniffing around. Not to worry -- the Anteater will exterminate all nuisances.