Kinetic Sculpture Race

One misty day (weren't they all?) in the mid-70s when we lived on the North Coast, we were driving on one of the back roads between Eureka and Ferndale when what to our wondering eyes should appear out of the fog, but a strange pedal-powered contraption that resembled a large, yellow pencil! Shortly thereafter we passed another equally-intriguing "vehicle." Now, how we could have been living in the Arcata/Eureka/Ferndale area for a year and not have heard of the Great Arcata-to-Ferndale Kinetic Sculpture Race is beyond me. But we became fans of the annual event and have traveled back to the North Coast several times over the years to witness the festvities. Our favorite viewing spot has always been at the Humboldt Bay ramp, where racers must pass a sobriety check before plunging in. (One would *think* they would have tested the sea-worthiness of their vehicles prior to this time, but apparently not all do!)

The three-day cross country race is also called the "Triathlon of the Art World" because art and engineering are combined with physical endurance during a race that includes sand, mud, pavement, a bay crossing, a river crossing and major hills. The concept of kinetic sculpture racing originated in Ferndale, California when local sculptor Hobart Brown "improved" the appearance of his son's tricycle by welding on two additional wheels and other embellishments. Seeing this "Pentacycle," Jack Mays challenged him to a race, and others joined in so twelve machines inaugurated the first race, down Ferndale's Main Street during the annual art festival. Neither Hobart nor Jack won; instead, the first winner was Bob Brown of Eureka, California whose sculpture was a smoke-emitting Turtle that laid eggs.

Now in its 40th year, the race, as always, is being held over Memorial Day weekend. Despite the passing of the "Glorious Founder," Hobart Brown, last year from pneumonia, it appears the event was as popular as ever, judging by the articles I've read online. While family events kept me from attending this year, I've got it on my calendar for next year and will plan to take plenty of photos to share!