Kinetic Grand Championship Featured in
The Kinetic Grand Championship is not a simple parade, it's a three-day race of human-powered sculptures that takes the participants across roads, sand, land, mud, and water. The total distance of the race is about 42 miles (68 km), which should be passed with handmade, human-powered vehicles.
Any crazy creative person can take part in the race as long as s/he has an idea for a great vehicle that can ride and float and be not too heavy to overcome all the difficulties of the race. This weird but spectacular race tradition is held each Memorial Day weekend. The race is also called the “triathlon of the art world.” Those who come just to watch can observe the competition from the side of a road along the course.
The first day of the race starts at noon by the whistle on Arcata Plaza. The participants leave the town and move to Manila Dunes. During that day participants cross the dunes and go down the steep sandy hill, called the Dead Man's Drop. Those who made that part of the road, continue by crossing the bridge to Eureka where the first-day challenge ends.
On the second day, the participants have to fight against the waves crossing the Humboldt Bay and making their way to Table Bluff Hill where they will stay for a night in a campground.
The third day features crossing the Eel River followed by the roads of Ferndale. The finish line awaits them at the Main Street Ferndale, which they cross covered in mud and exhausted but truly happy and satisfied. The awards ceremony is also held in Ferndale.
