If you’ve ever been walking around campus and suddenly heard someone say, “Cheeto!”, there’s a good chance you already know who we’re talking about.
Cheeto has been one of those little parts of campus life that brings people together for a long time. You might see him sleeping in the sun, wandering around, or simply sitting there while a group of students gathers around him.
And honestly, we’re not sure he even realizes how famous he is.
People stop to take pictures, show their friends, and share their Cheeto sightings. For a few minutes, whatever was going on before doesn’t seem quite as important. Everyone is just there for Cheeto.
That’s where Cheeto Day came from.
Why Cheeto Day?
We wanted to create something simple that people could enjoy together.
Every Cheeto Day is a chance to celebrate the little moments that make being on campus memorable like the random Cheeto sighting, the picture you send to your friends, or the person you meet because you both stopped to say hi to the same cat.
And, of course, it’s also an excuse to wear a ridiculous Cheeto shirt.
But it’s bigger than a shirt.
Our goal with Cheeto Day isn’t just to sell T-shirts.
There are so many things in the world today that can pull people apart. We’re constantly surrounded by things that divide conversations, communities, and even friends and families.
We wanted to do the opposite.
Instead of focusing on everything that separates us, we want to focus on what brings us together.
Cheeto is something incredibly simple. You don’t need to know someone to smile when they point him out. You don’t need to agree on anything to laugh at a funny picture of him. You don’t even need to know his story to enjoy a few minutes with him.
For a moment, we’re all just people enjoying the same thing.
And we think there’s something pretty special about that.
Our mission with Cheeto Day is to create more of those moments by giving people something positive, simple, and fun that they can share with one another.
Because sometimes what brings us together doesn’t have to be complicated.
Sometimes it’s just a cat.
And sometimes, that’s enough.
Carry a little Cheeto with you. 🧡
Cheeto Day is an independent fan project and is not affiliated with or endorsed by UC Davis.