Known worldwide as the “Triathlon of the Art World”, the Kinetic Grand Championship (Kinetic Sculpture Race to locals) was founded in 1969 by the eccentric Ferndale-based metal sculptor Hobart Brown. Every Memorial Day weekend, Kinetinauts roll-out their strange and interesting human-powered sculptures to race 42 miles across cement, sand, and sea.
While all racers are ultimately focused on “the glory” of winning the race, not everyone is fortunate enough to complete the three-day event. In fact, many sculptures are more artistic than kinetic and a shocking number fail the brake test during the first lap around the Arcata Plaza before making it across the starting line. Once brakes are approved, the judges typically collect their not-so-secret bribes and send the sculptures (and spectators) to the Manila Dunes to face the infamous Dead Man’s Drop.
As you may have already guessed, the list of contestants thins-out significantly as sculptures attempt to make their way across the Samoa Sand Dunes and into the Humboldt Bay. There’s nothing quite like watching a nine-foot long goldfish on wheels paddle wildly in the Bay, but don’t take our word for it. Those staying at The Redwood Riverwalk in Fortuna are only 9 miles from the finish line on Main Street in the Victorian Village of Ferndale. Here are a few resources to help you plan your trip, so you too can go for the glory this Memorial Day weekend!
Kinetic Grand Championship Event Dates:
Memorial Day Weekend, May 28th-30th 2022
Official Website:
Thanks as always for visiting the Field Journal as you plan your next Humboldt County adventure. We look forward to seeing you soon at The Redwood Riverwalk boutique motel!
