The race starts on Saturday on the Arcata plaza with the noon whistle. Racers must use sculptures that are people powered only. The sculptures must also be able to travel on road, sand, mud and float across the bay. All equipment including camping gear, must be stowed on board. There are also other silly rules like carrying a teddy bear and toothbrushes. After leaving the Plaza, the sculptures ride to the dunes where they travel down a beach and must navigate "Deadman's Drop". Reed and I watched this particular part of the race a few years ago. It was very hilarious to see these huge, sometimes cumbersome machines crash into the sand (many don't make it!)
Sunday is the water entry. The racers gather on a dock where they enter the water one by one. For many of the entries, everyone watching holds their breath in anticipation. Some sculptures look as if they will sink right away, but then miraculously right themselves and paddle off.
After the bay entry, race followers have to tune in to the coverage on the local radio station. The sculptures exit the bay and travel across some mud and more roads and dirt. Monday is the conclusion of the race on the main street of Ferndale. Winning the race is not always about being first. Some contestants are just in it for the fun while others follow the ACE rules (listed in the official grand championship rulebook ) So while one crew may come in first, other sculptures still qualify for a variety of wacky awards.
Singing pirates ( Excessive pageantry is encouraged. Contestants are encouraged to woo the crowd and bribe the judges during their pre-race safety and brake check.)
The Octo-mom sculpture. The blue hands waved babies around as the whole contraption moved.
North loved the dragon.
You can see why. This dragon was entered in the race last year, but flipped into the bay when entering the water during the second day. It continued through the race, but was disqualified from winning because it had to be rescued.
I can't remember what this sculpture was called, but I do know that they sprinkled twinkle dust on the judges and gave them Twinkies as bribes.I wasn't planning on watching any more of the race, but North loved the sculptures. He talked about the "Hippy-potamus" and the fire dragon all the way home. The water entry always draws a large crowd, but we might brave it tomorrow.