Corvallis hosts kinetic sculpture contest

(JULY 17, 2024) There is an unusual race in Corvallis. It's called the Graand Kinetic Challenge. It's part art, and it's part science.

First, a team builds a kinetic sculpture. That means the sculpture must move. In this race, they must move with human power, such as using pedals. The race provides more information about "How to Build a Kinetic Sculpture."

The sculptures are also art, and they take many shapes. Past races have seen a sea anemone, a school bus, a flying pink elephant, a slice of cheese, a yellow submarine and more. Racers also wear costumes.

The teams have pilots, pit crew, and entourage. Pilots pedal and steer the sculpture. The pit crew helps to change the vehicle for each part of the course and fix anything that breaks. The entourage is a group of friends and family who provide support. 

The race course has many parts. Teams travel over 20 miles of city streets. They cross a sand dune and 200 feet of mud. Then they travel 1.6 miles of the Willamette River. 

There are prizes for speed, design, artistry, and pageantry. 

The 2024 race is July 20-21. The race is part of a celebration in Corvallis called da Vinci Days. For more information: https://www.davincidays.org/