2012 Kinetic Grand Championship, Arcata Plaza

       It all began in Humboldt. The first Kinetic Sculpture Race, or "Triathlon of the Art World", took place right here and now it is a growing sensation that has spread across the nation. The race has recently taken the title of "Kinetic Grand Championship" and people travel from all over to participate. In this three day competition the goal is that your man-powered vehicle (which you have all year to create) has to traverse highways, sand, treacherous hills (including Dead Man's Drop), and finally water (both river and ocean). The main objective, however, is to bring the community together for a bit of lighthearted fun, albeit hard-work for the cyclists. Each sculpture has a group of a dozen or so supporters who travel with them throughout the race, either on foot or bicycle, and their costumes are an essential part of the pageantry. I've seen people dress up as mushrooms, Bigfoot, gypsies, giraffes, roadkill, the undead, and once an entire group waltzed around in naked suits. The race begins on Memorial Day weekend with the sound of the tsunami warning bell at noon in the Arcata plaza and from there the sculptures make their way to Samoa beach for the trek through the Manila dunes and they end in Old Town, Eureka. On the second day the sculptures float (or sink, depending) in Humboldt Bay and then have to traverse land again at Hookton Hill. On the third and final day the racers begin at the mouth of Eel River and cross the finish line on Ferndale's historic main-street. This year was my third year attending the Kinetic Sculpture Race and I am always amazed at the incredible energy of the crowd which never fails to pump me up. I have never seen Arcata Plaza so teeming with people and I doubt it could've physically held many more. This uniquely Humboldt tradition is still going strong after 44 years and there is no sign of slowing down.

Visualize Whirled Peas

The Roadkill Cafe had an entourage of skunks with their entrails hanging out the front of their costumes

Betty's Peace Crane was made and powered by high school students with respect for Betty Chinn, who is a local hero around here

Here the entourage of Betty's Peace Crane sing and dance to "Peace Train", changing the words accordingly

"Gone Squatchin" reads the cap of the giant paper maché figure, a member of the Bigfoot sculpture team

Kingfisher

A fire ant that spouts fire from its rear

Under the Rainbow... and proud of it!