Boating Party

It's easy to watch the Boulder Kinetics videos on the KBCO website and dismiss the event as a bunch of wackos in weird costumes riding around in bizarre boats. But it's way more fun than that. The "sculptures," as the boats/land cruisers are known, must be lake-worthy and able to travel on dry land, plus participants have to put on a skit that embodies the theme of their vehicle — a good skit. And because most of the sculptures are made by average, ordinary, non-engineer, non-mechanical and non-theatrically trained types, at least a few of the crafts break down, fall apart and sink in the Boulder Reservoir — and then their teams' little plays are booed off the stage by the judges.

The pure fun of watching other people get humiliated isn't the only reason to head out to the Boulder Reservoir this morning; there's also a pancake breakfast at 7 a.m., a concert by Los Lonely Boys and Robert Randolph — oh, and some amazing boats do make it through the course. The action starts at 11 a.m.; tickets, $20, are available at www.ticketmaster.com. Parking is $10, but there are several free park-n-ride shuttles from Boulder. For more information, go to www.kbco.com.
Sat., May 5, 6:30 a.m.