The Kinetic Grand Championship traces its roots to a 1969 race organized around metal sculptor Hobart Brown and other Ferndale artists. What began as a short local contest evolved into a three-day challenge for elaborate human-powered sculptures capable of traveling on pavement, sand, mud and water.
Teams now pilot their rolling artwork for roughly 50 miles through Humboldt County, beginning at Arcata Plaza and eventually finishing in Ferndale. Spectators can watch the costumed teams, mechanical contraptions, judging rituals, water crossings and roadside pageantry from multiple points along the route without joining the race.