Always wanted to be in the Parade?
Have a Quirky Creative side just
fighting to get out?
Need a thrill to stir your inner child?
Boy, do we have the festival for you!
On Saturday, April 27, 2019, the streets of West Columbia will be filled with art, kinetic floats, soapbox racing, and thousands of people gathering together for the second annual Kinetic Derby Day. The event spurs creative thinking, competition, and family fun as teams come together to build unusual vehicles and awe-inspiring art installations.
The day begins with the kinetic sculpture parade. Local and regional artists
showcase human-powered, handmade floats that use gravity and kinetic energy to
move along the parade route. The themes range from flying monsters to bizarre satire.
Following the parade, soapbox cars take over the massive hill on Meeting Street to race
in adult and children divisions. Awards are given for the best art car, the fastest car, and best wipeout. At the bottom of the hill, take a right on to State Street to find art installations, artist tents, interactive science fun, food trucks, and exhibition soapbox racing.
The mission of Kinetic Derby Day is to inspire creative problem solving, build
community pride, and showcase our growing community ready for economic investment.
The event is intended to inspire creative thinkers and help them develop problem-solving
skills to construct the ideas they imagine.
2019 Event Schedule
11:00 am - 3:30 pm Kids’ Zone open (Green space across from Thompson's Funeral Home 200 State St, West Columbia, SC 29169, please see map below.)
11:00 am - 3:30 pm The Jasper Project Artisan Fairway open (On State St. between Meeting St. and Center St.)
11:00 am - 11:30 am Kinetic Sculpture Parade (On Meeting St. starting at S. Lucas St. and ending on State St.)
11:30 am - 1:00 pm Kids Soap Box Racing (On Meeting St. between Brookland United Methodist Church and Leaphart St.)
1:00 pm - 3:00 pm Adult Soap Box Racing (On Meeting St. between Brookland United Methodist Church and Leaphart St.)
3:15 pm - 3:30 pm Award Ceremony (On Stage on State St.)
3:30 pm Event Ends
Highlights From 2018
What is a Kinetic Float?
No stored energy, motors, or electricity. Only pushing, pulling, pedaling or walking is permitted in order to move the human-powered floats throughout the course. Participants must devise unique, human-generated ways to keep “vehicles” (defined as a device that has wheels or moveable legs) moving at a pace of at least three miles-per-hour. You can be a costumed rider on a decked out bike or a crew driving a much more elaborate kinetic device. This link offers some examples Here
Eager to Race?
The soapbox derby course gives the young and the young-at-heart the chance to build something fabulous and test it against gravity as you race down Meeting Street toward the river. Participants can compete in one of two soapbox categories – Art Cars or Need for Speed. Soapbox cars can have no more than two occupants and must include operable brakes and steering.
Key West's Kinetic Sculpture Parade
Benefits The
Beautification
Foundation
