*Bad news: this event has been cancelled for 2023 due to unforseen circumstances. They are planning to be back for 2024!
“I have been impressed with the urgency of doing. Knowing is not enough; we must apply. Being willing is not enough; we must do.”
Leonardo da Vinci
The da Vinci Days Graand Kinetic Challenge (GKC), featuring wild and whimsically engineered human-powered art sculptures racing each other over various obstacle courses for two days, is happening on July 15th and 16th. Spectators and participants enjoy the crazy-fun spectacles, colorfully costumed teams, and creative activities throughout the weekend and throughout town.
“Kinetic sculptures are moving works of art, pedaled by human power over a rigorous, all-terrain course by teams of fun-loving racers,” says Reed Lacy, Race Director of the da Vinci Day’s Graand Kinetic Challenge.
This year, the race’s theme is “Full Steam Ahead,” where entrants decorate their kinetic vehicles to showcase their interpretation. Part of the joyous celebration of the event is that it engages people with science, technology, engineering, art, and math combined with pageantry!
Saturday’s course starts at the Benton County Fairgrounds with an all-sculpture parade, then around Bald Hill and returning to the fairgrounds to conquer a human-made sand dune. After that, they head down to Central Park, where they circle around The Art Center and return back to the Fairgrounds. Saturday night is the Lumenata Sculpture Light Parade with live music.
On Sunday, the competitors come to Crystal Lake to tackle a 175-foot-long mud bog, then reconfigure their sculpture to hopefully float down the Willamette River to Michael’s Landing. They proceed through Downtown, heading down Madison Ave past The Whiteside Theater and The Art Center, ending at the Fairgrounds.
“The racers and their pit crews are part of the art, decked out in costumes and trying to outcompete each other in the entertaining show they put on for the spectators,” says Lacy. Teams compete for many awards, including whimsical ones such as “Cuddly Teddy Bear,” “Wizard’s Choice,” “King of Kluck,” and the much-coveted “The Leo.” The Leo, named after Leonardo da Vinci, is awarded only to those teams who successfully traverse the entire course without getting stuck and needing a push.
In 2022 there were 16 teams from Oregon, California, and Washington. Corvallis became a part of the kinetic sculpture circuit in 1993, which currently includes Eureka, CA, Port Townsend, WA, and Klamath Falls. In years past, the race was an integral part of the da Vinci Days Festival, while currently, the GKC is the focal point, with events and activities organically springing up around it. The public is encouraged to participate in all the activities. If they have lights on their bikes or costumes, they are invited to be in the Lumenata Sculpture Light Parade Saturday night!
Lacy exclaims, “Why do we do this? For the Fun of it! For the Glory!” And Hobart Brown, founder of Kinetic Sculpture Racing, would enthusiastically affirm, “It’s important for kids to see adults having fun so that they want to grow up.”
Event Schedule
EVENTS ON SATURDAY, JULY 15, START AT THE BENTON COUNTY FAIRGROUNDS:
9-11 Tech Check, Art & Engineering judging – by Auditorium
11-1 Pageantry performances – Oak Grove
2:00 Parade start of the race – near the Oak Grove
2:05 -2:30 Bald Hill loop – out, around, and back
2:30 – 3:30 Sand Dune Challenge – west end Fairgrounds parking lot
This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience.
Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. These cookies ensure basic functionalities and security features of the website, anonymously.
Cookie
Duration
Description
cookielawinfo-checkbox-analytics
11 months
This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Analytics".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-functional
11 months
The cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the category "Functional".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-necessary
11 months
This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-others
11 months
This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Other.
cookielawinfo-checkbox-performance
11 months
This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Performance".
viewed_cookie_policy
11 months
The cookie is set by the GDPR Cookie Consent plugin and is used to store whether or not user has consented to the use of cookies. It does not store any personal data.
Functional cookies help to perform certain functionalities like sharing the content of the website on social media platforms, collect feedbacks, and other third-party features.
Performance cookies are used to understand and analyze the key performance indexes of the website which helps in delivering a better user experience for the visitors.
Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. These cookies help provide information on metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc.
Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with relevant ads and marketing campaigns. These cookies track visitors across websites and collect information to provide customized ads.
Be the first to comment