What started in Ferndale, California, nearly 50 years ago with the first-ever Kinetic Sculpture Race, has taken over Jefferson County and Port Townsend. 

Now in its 36th year, the Great Port Townsend Bay Kinetic Sculpture Race will hit the streets, with a two-day event, Oct. 6 and 7.

Since its inception, the sculpture races have expanded to a total of 17 national races and five international races, with Port Townsend's being the second-oldest race, and each year presents unusual rideable sculptures.

Each pedal-powered vehicle is elaborately designed and decorated but must withstand the elements. Drivers and their trusty sculptures must be able to traverse through sand and mud, float on water and go up hilly neighborhoods. These vehicles are usually equipped with styrofoam and paddles to go over the waters of Port Townsend Bay.

Awards will be handed out, but the most coveted is the “Mediocrity Award,” which goes to the sculpture who finished in the middle.

This year’s theme is “Kinetic Mediocre Super Heroes.” Some colorful rigs will be dressed up to reflect the theme, but all drivers and peddlers are invited to dress in superhero costumes with unique twists in order to receive the highest points for art and pageantry.

“The fun thing about kinetics is all the silliness and the creativity. But the coolest thing is that the crowd always gets their kinetic spirit on,” stated High Priestess and President for Life Janet Emery. “We see kids dressed up according to the theme and literally dragging their parents along to 'oohhh and ahhhh' over the sculptures. It’s a great family event!”

This is around the third year the Great Port Townsend Kinetic Race has held its event with a two-day schedule. 

According to Head Judge Marilyn Kurka, most other competitions are held throughout a weekend, so the change allowed the Port Townsend race to conform to others of its kind, as well as giving more breathing room for the wide range of events.

“We grew too big and took too much time to do everything in one day,” Kurka said. “Splitting it in half made it easier for everyone.”

On the first day of the event, Oct. 6, the first Art Parade and Contest will take place for those who wish to express their creativity with moveable art. Entries can include marching or dancing groups, large or small floats, wearable art, puppets and any other art imaginable. Two categories will be awarded, “Most Kreative” and “Most Kinetically Inclined,” for best use of kinetically moving parts, for both adults and children. More information and entry forms can be found at PTKineticRace.org and are accepted until 10 a.m. the day of the race. The parade will start at noon, run down Water Street and ends at the Pope Marine Park on Madison and Water streets.

After the parade, racers will participate in brake and flotation tests, starting with sculptures going down Monroe Street for a brake stop at the skateboard park. They will then line up for the race, with a water portion at the Salmon Club by the NW Maritime Center.

That night, there will be a Rosehips Kween Koronation Ball for those at least 21 years of age, where attendees will enjoy music provided by Uncle Funk and the Dope 6, starting at 8 p.m. at the American Legion Hall, 209 Monroe St. Contestants will vie for the Rosehips Krown around 9:30 p.m. with a coronation at 11 p.m.

Oct. 7 will feature the Street, Sand and Mud portions of the race. Sculptures and their pilots will line up at Water Street by the American Legion Hall around 10 a.m. The race starts up Lawrence Street, rounds a corner at Aldrich's Market, then heads to a sand course at Fort Worden State Park, followed by the mud portion at Jefferson County Fairgrounds before going back down San Juan Avenue and up through Walker and Lawrence streets.

Each pilot must pay a registration fee of $20.18, as well as each additional team member. For more information, contact Emery at 360-301-0376.