Moving On

The normally placid waters of Longmont's Union Reservoir will be churned up today by all manner of oddities. You might see sharks or even a UFO skimming across the surface. Don’t worry, though: It’s not some kind of sci-fi movie come to life, just the 34th annual Kinetic Sculpture Race...

By Cory Casciato

July 18, 2013

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The normally placid waters of Longmont's Union Reservoir will be churned up today by all manner of oddities. You might see sharks or even a UFO skimming across the surface. Don’t worry, though: It’s not some kind of sci-fi movie come to life, just the 34th annual Kinetic Sculpture Race.

“The point of Kinetics, as you might guess, is to get your friends and family and build something cool, create some kind of sculpture,” explains Lily LensCap, secretary of the race planning committee.

To that end, Rube Goldberg-esque contraptions topped with ludicrous decorations will be pushed, pulled, pedaled and sailed across both water and land to earn glory and fame, or at least have some fun and amuse onlookers in the attempt. Awards will be given for everything from winning the actual race to best team names, including a special mediocrity prize for finishing the race in the middle of the pack.

The gates open at 9 a.m. at the reservoir, 461 Weld County Road 26 in Longmont. Crafts will be lined up and on display by 10 a.m.; a parade follows at 11, and the race itself starts at noon. Admission is $10 per car, $2 for bikes/walk-ins; and for those wanting to compete, registration starts at $40 and closes July 18. For more info and to register, visit kineticists.org.
Sat., July 20, 10 a.m.-3:30 p.m., 2013

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