Kinetic Grand Spectators Guide
Captain Caption
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Coast Central Credit Union
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Don's Rent All
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Visit Eureka California
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Ferndale Chamber of Commerce
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KRFH.NET
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KEET-TV PBS
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Maverik & Haywood
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Mendenhall Studios
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North Coast CoOp
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SHN Engineering
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Recology Eel River
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Scrapper's Edge
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Port Townsend Kinetic Sculpture Race
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Captain Caption 〰️ Coast Central Credit Union 〰️ Don's Rent All 〰️ Visit Eureka California 〰️ Ferndale Chamber of Commerce 〰️ KRFH.NET 〰️ KEET-TV PBS 〰️ Maverik & Haywood 〰️ Mendenhall Studios 〰️ North Coast CoOp 〰️ SHN Engineering 〰️ Recology Eel River 〰️ Scrapper's Edge 〰️ Port Townsend Kinetic Sculpture Race 〰️
The Kinetic Grand Championship is a three day race of human powered all terrain kinetic sculptures. Dozens of Teams from all over the USA will brave 50 miles of Humboldt County's Bay, roads, beaches, dunes, trails, hills, rivers and towns. Get yourself to these Glory Spots, and watch teams as they compete for the title of Kinetic Grand Champion!
Find ALL the GLORY details for each race day below!
OR, Download this Spectators Guide JPG for later …
Day 1: Saturday
The Start
9:00 a.m. to “Noon”
Judging & Pageantry All Around the Arcata Plaza
Teams will enter the Plaza and subject themselves to Judging in categories like ACE worthiness, Safety, Art, Engineering, Pageantry and a "Brake Test" (Break Test?)
This part of the race is festive, flat / wheelchair accessible, crowded, kid friendly, and has porta-potties available as well as food vendors and restaurants.
At "NOON," the Goddess will set off the traditional SIREN initiating the dramatic and kinda dangerous …
Kinetic Swarm "LeMons Start" (Please keep your feet off the street and stay out of the way!)
In Soulatluk, the language of the Wiyot tribe, “Arcata” is called “Goudi'ni” meaning, "over in the woods"*
Manila Dunes Kinetic Festival
Noon to 3:00 p.m.
Manila Dunes Community Center - 1611 Peninsula Drive
Watch teams make mechanical adjustments to their sculptures to prepare for the sand. The community center hosts their own Kinetic Festival to celebrate the race’s passing and raise money for their community projects. If you plan to make it to this one, PLEASE avoid driving on 255! Fewer cars on the race course between Arcata and Samoa means safer racers and spectators. If you’re in a car, you can take 101 to Eureka, and come across the Samoa Bridges then up the course to Peninsula Drive instead of following the racers through Arcata. Thank you!
This “side event” is festive, with loud music, restrooms, kid friendly, food and beer. There is a playground for kids. The park is wheelchair accessible, but there is no parking, so getting in and out could be a big challenge if you are using a lift or have limited mobility.
There's no parking at the Manila Community Center except by permit so …
Bicycling is Recommended / Glorious!
Dead Man's Drop
1:00 p.m. ‘till the last team passes
Out in the Middle of “June’s Dunes”
After leaving the Community Center, teams will head out to the beach, then follow the coast for about a mile before turning to enter “June’s Dunes.” Then they will power up a 100 foot sand slope, slipping backwards the whole time up to the top. Once they reach the crest, teams will hurl themselves down the legendary Dead Man’s Drop, risking life and limb for GLORY! Watch for falling Sculptures!
This part of the course is a “protected wilderness area.” There are no restrooms or amenities, and no level ground. Expect loose, steep sand, MOSQUITOS, and no shelter… but LOTS of Glory!
Beach Hike: From the Community Center, you can follow teams over to the beach, then down the coast a mile or so to "June's Dunes."
Dune Hike: Or head over to the trail head at Coper Ln. & New Navy Base Rd. just past the Samoa Bridge off 255. From there you can hike up the course to the big dune. Some of the best views are on the trail coming in this way.
Either way you go, it is a HIKE! Bring water and sunscreen, and prepare for mosquitos!
Day 1 Finish Line
3:00 p.m. till 6:32
Halvorsen Park, Waterfront Drive, Eureka
Survey the Kinetic damage on sculptures and teams up close after their harrowing adventures! Join Kinetic Universe at:
Kinetic Fest presented by The Ink People for the Arts
A finish line party at Halvorsen Park from 2 PM - 7 PM with food, drinks, music, vendors, and circus arts.
Halvorsen Park is a large flat field on the waterfront with paved trails. Wheelchair accessible, kid friendly, Free parking at the Adorni Center.
Afterwords, we recommend grabbing a bite at the Lost Coast Brewery Cafe because they are a KGC Sponsor!
Tell ‘em Hobart sent you.
* The Kinetic Grand Championship races on Wiyot land. Thanks to a collaboration with a team of Wiyot tribal members and staff, we have included Soulatluk (Wiyot language) names for some points and activities on our course. In doing this, we hope to play a small part in sharing information about the historical Indigenous places where we race and play.
Day 2: Sunday
Water Entry
10:07 a.m. to "Noooooon" (When the tide turns)
Wharfinger Public Boat Ramp
Will they float? Post up on shore near the boat ramp to find out. Awards will be earned for Biggest Splash and Golden Flipper H2O.
This location is crowded, with people bunching together along the seawall to get a good view. While the sidewalks are wheelchair accessible, the shore where you can see the action is not so much. Spectators can park in the roped off parking in Halvorsen Park Field, and walk over to the water.
In Soulatluk, “Water Entry” is “Da’ Gawu Lhik” meaning “where one starts to go in boat.”
Photo ©2015 Mark McKenna
Water Crossing
10:10 a.m. to 1:54 p.m.
Watch from anywhere on the Eureka Old Town Waterfront Boardwalk as teams head to the Samoa Bridge boat ramp and exit the Bay.
This location stretches all along the waterfront with excellent views of the sculptures on the water between the foot of C Street and the Adorni Center. Crowds are well spread out, and there’s lots of places in Old Town to find refreshments. Many viewing places are wheelchair accessible and kid friendly with benches and railings.
Look for the Kinetic Merch Booth on the Eureka Boardwalk!
Up and Down Table Bluff
As early as 1:30 p.m. to 7:07 p.m.
Eel River Road over Table Bluff
From early afternoon until course close at 7:07 p.m. teams will huff and puff up Table Bluff on Eel River Road, then pray their way down the other side. Known in Kinetics as "Melvin's Mile," this is your last chance to see Kinetic Sculptures on the course for the day. Park on the opposite side of the road from the teams and give them some much needed GLORY!
This section of the course is a long stretch of road going over Table Bluff. There are no amenities.
Table Bluff - This place has multiple names, in Soulatluk, which shows its historical significance, including: Rraloughugu’w, said to mean ‘road goes over [the hill]’ and Tvutgugu'w which refers to either the bluff itself or the Old Reservation.
Pit Stop for Lunch
11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
Eureka Natural Foods 1450 Broadway St
Teams will pit stop and eat lunch at Eureka Natural Foods, then head out South Eureka on the Hikshari hiking and biking trail on their way to the Eel River Valley.
This pit stop takes place in the parking lot of ENF. It is wheelchair accessible, but busy with sculptures, cars, and regular store customers coming and going. There is a restroom available inside ENF.
Are you loving all this Glory?
Day 3: Monday - Memorial Day
Eel River Crossing
Stay tuned for updates on this…
The Glorious Finish Line
1:00 p.m. 'till they all cross the line one way or another!
Main Street at Brown Street in Ferndale
Some teams are racing to the last moment, trying to make the fastest time. Others are dragged across the Finish Line by their muddy, bloodied Pit Crew. They are all winners, but only one team will be named Kinetic Grand Champion!
Main Street is wheelchair accessible with some crowded parts. Park on a side street, and make your way to the main drag. Some porta-poties, and public restrooms. Food vendors, stores, and restaurants.