.jpg)
40 years ago, renowned welding artist Hobart Brown challenged a friend to a welded-contraption race in Ferndale, California, and the Kinetic Grand Championship was born.
Known as the "Triathalon of the Art World," the yearly radition has spread to Oregon, Washington, Arizona, Colorado, Baltimore, Maryland and all the way to Perth, Australia.
This Friday, join in the fun of the quirky annual 3-day race as teams use pedal power to move their unique sculptures like a picnic basket and a psychedelically painted hippo will race across 42 miles of road, sand and water from Arcata to Ferndale in California's Humboldt County.
About 40 teams will participate, creating objects of varying complexity that can be pedaled on land and float on water. Many feature animated moving parts like blinking eyes, opening mouths, heads that move side to side and up and down. A prize is given for the fastest time, but awards also are offered for the sculpture that breaks down first or has the best flip-over in water.
The teams consist of pilots, pit crew and pee-ons. Kinetic Pilots pedal the sculpture and steer, the pit crew assists the pilots in transforming the vehicle for the various elements and fixing mechanical issues, and pee-ons, well, they do whatever is needed for the team to get glory. The teams give out “bribes” to their adoring spectators, judges and Rutabaga Royalty.
The event kicks off at the Arcata Plaza at 9am as the Kinetic Kontraptions show-up for their brake tests. The race begins at 12 noon.
Comments
What a fun event! This is truly a celebration of alternative transportation!!
Got something to say?
Examiner.com is looking for writers, photographers, and videographers to join the fastest growing group of local insiders. If you are interested in growing your online rep apply to be an Examiner today!