2025 Kinetic Grand Press Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 15, 2025
Art, Engineering, and Human-Powered Madness Collide at the Kinetic Grand Championship
ARCATA, EUREKA, AND FERNDALE CA — The world’s wackiest race on land, sand, and water is back! The Kinetic Grand Championship, Humboldt County’s beloved three-day extravaganza celebrating art, engineering, and pageantry, will once again take over the North Coast with its spectacle of human-powered sculptures. From May 24 to 26, around 40 teams will pilot their machines over 50+ miles from Arcata to Ferndale seeking glory and the title of Grand Champion.
Festivities start early Saturday morning on the Arcata Plaza, where spectators can see the sculptures up close, watch as they go through judging stations, and support the event by purchasing merchandise designed by local artists. When the noon whistle sounds, it’s a mad dash to Manila—spectators are warned to clear the street as machines barrel forward.
This year marks a temporary change to the racecourse after racers enter the sand from the Manila Community Center. Instead of conquering Dead Man’s Drop, sculptures will continue down the beach and exit onto New Navy Base Road through Samoa Beach Power Poles Parking Lot. From there, it's a sprint across Samoa Bridge to the finish line at Halvorsen Park. “The property has new owners and we’re committed to work with them to bring Dead Man’s Drop back for 2026,” says Jennifer Thelander, one of the race’s organizers.
After cheering on the racers at Halvorsen Park, spectators are invited to the Rutabaga Ball at 7:00 PM at historic Eureka Theater. Five contestants will dazzle the crowd, vying for the crown of Rutabaga Queen. Reigning Queen Olivia Gambino, lead organizer for this year’s Ball describes the role of Rutabaga Queen, “they are not just a Queen for the night, they are a beacon, a banner, a beautiful glorious chaos conductor for the year to come.” She continues, “The Rutabaga Ball brings out the weirdest, wildest, and most wonderful in all of us. You do not want to miss the magic we’re brewing.”
Sunday morning, the kookiness resumes as teams equip their machines with flotation devices, braving Humboldt Bay in a spectacle of triumph—and sometimes, spectacular failure. Spectators are encouraged to watch from the Eureka waterfront in Old Town starting around 10:00 AM. After shaking the water off, machines travel to Loleta’s day two finish line. On Monday, the madness concludes in Ferndale, the birthplace of the sport, with one last water crossing through the Eel River before the final push down Main Street.
The final finish line in Ferndale acts as a homecoming for the race, where the sport of kinetic sculpture racing began in 1969 by metal sculptor and “Glorious Founder” Hobart Brown. What started as a Mother’s Day race down Main Street among Ferndale artists has grown into the massive, three-day Humboldt County tradition we enjoy today. Joel Clark, Captain for 2024’s Grand Champion team HumBULLdt Pie Factory brings his team from Sparks, Nevada to compete. “We came for the glory, stayed for the community,” Clark explains, adding “keep an eye out for the youth teams, they're crushing it this year!"
This iconic event thrives thanks to the passion of over 300 racers, hundreds of dedicated volunteers, and the support of the community, such as this year's presenting sponsor, Arcata Lodging Alliance. New volunteers are always welcome, and donations in the form of 'Invisible Tickets' help keep the magic alive year after year.
For more information about the race, route details, or how to get involved, visit kineticgrandchampionship.com.
CONTACT
Jennifer Thelander
Outreach and Engagement Director, Kinetic Universe
(971)990-6991
jenniferthelander@kineticuniverse.org
kineticgrandchampionship.com