9/28/2005 10:57:00 AM Kinetics playtime! Saturday Wanna-Be Parade, Rose Hips Ball; Sunday race
Kinetic kontraptions cruise along the water course in last year's version of the race. – Leader file photo
Formal attire (with a Kinetic twist, naturally) is advised for “Puttin’ on the Ritz,” the theme of this weekend’s 23rd annual Great Port Townsend Bay Kinetic Skulpture Race.
“We’re looking forward to a great weekend, and we’ll have fun even if the sun comes out,” says Janet Emery, Kinetic High Priestess for Life.
Seventeen skulptures had registered as of Tuesday morning, including one from California and two from Oregon. “In reality we’ll probably have in the 20s, so it will be a competitive field,” Emery notes.
Register your skulpture by calling Emery, 379-4972, at her Kinetic Koffee Kompany on Kearney Street in Port Townsend.
Kinetic skulptures must be human-powered and kapable of traversing paved roads, navigating Port Townsend Bay from Tyler Street beach to Monroe Street, the Kwicksand at Fort Worden State Park beach, and the glorious Dismal Bog mud pit at the Jefferson County Fairgrounds. Kinetic racers and fans must be kapable of having fun without taking the event too seriously. Mediocrity is prized – so the skulpture that finishes in the middle of the pack wins the highest award.
Komic attire (imagine Halloween on steroids) is recommended, but safety first: No Kinetic krew members may operate under the influence, and all spectators (especially bicyclists and dogs) must stay klear of skulptures in motion. Please obey the Kinetic Kops in their efforts to keep the kourse safe!
Kinetic activities begin Friday evening, Sept. 30, with a family-night gathering at Port Townsend Brewery. On Saturday, Oct. 1 at noon, the Wanna Be Parade starts at the U.S. Bank parking lot and proceeds along Water Street to Monroe Street. (Early risers can be part of the Port Townsend Family Portrait at 11:30 a.m. at the Mount Baker Block.)
Following the parade, the skulpture float test takes place off the salmon club boat ramp, or if it’s nasty weather, it takes place inside the Point Hudson Marina. Volunteer safety patrol boats are still needed. The Monroe Street hill is used to test each skulpture’s brakes.
Kueen candidates
The Rose Hips Ball – the Kinetic program’s main fundraiser – starts at 8 p.m. Saturday at the American Legion Hall, corner of Water and Monroe streets downtown. The music is by Spin Cycle, a two-guy, two-girl band performing “the best dance hits of all time.” Admission is $10. Kinetic kostumes are encouraged but not required.
Rose Hips Kueen kandidates (three so far) are welcome. Applications are taken until noon Saturday at Kinetic Koffee. Kandidates on Saturday night must tell a joke, perform a talent and offer a recipe. Anyone age 21 or over may apply. The kueen and her kourt reign over Sunday’s main event.
“It’s getting juicy,” Emery notes. “The bribes have started already.”
On Sunday, Oct. 2, the skulptures line up in front of City Hall at Low Noon to start their afternoon odyssey: water kourse first followed by kwicksand and the Dismal Bog. The adventure ends about 5:30 p.m. downtown. Jefferson Transit will have a shuttle bus operating to take spectators between sites.
One new feature this year is a stop at San Juan and Cedar (near Blue Heron Middle School) to pay homage to a statue of a rooster. “The offishal Kinetic mascot is a chicken, so how could we not stop for a rooster?” Emery komments.
The nonprofit Kinetic program survives on the generosity of local merchants through gifts used as prizes, and cash donations to help pay the bills. New this year, Kinetics is awarding “Kinetic Stars” for businesses to display as a badge of honor.
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