The 8-Hour

What’s a Kinetic Sculpture Race? Saturday May 2nd

Kinetic Sculptures are amphibious, human powered works of art custom built for the race. Each May, the American Visionary Art Museum (AVAM) produces and hosts the East Coast Kinetic Sculpture Race Championship on the shore of Baltimore’s Harbor in central Maryland. The eight-hour race covers 15 miles—mostly on pavement, but also including a trip into the Chesapeake Bay and through mud and sand. INFO HERE

Kinetic Sculpture Racing began in Ferndale, California in 1969 when artist Hobart Brown upgraded his son’s tricycle into a 5-wheeled pentacycle and was challenged to a race down Main Street. (Hobart did not win.) Over the decades since, the California race evolved into a 3-day all-terrain Kinetic Grand Championship including treacherous sand dunes, water crossings, and elaborate sculptures and costumes. You can learn more on Wikipedia including a list of other races nationwide.

Captain Larry’s Kinetic Fundraiser: April 23

Join us at Captain Larry’s for a pre-race friend-and-fundraiser celebrating AVAM’s the 2026 Kinetic Sculpture Race! Take part in art making, photos with Fifi, festive face-painting, and get exclusive early access to Kinetic ‘26 merch. Activity costs vary, with food & drinks available for purchase. Proceeds will help fund the 2026 race.

IMAGE Man portrayed a Baltimore superhero flying over the City to celebrate power and resilience of individuals with disabilities, and who plays sports. On the left is the Bromo Seltzer tower. On the right is the Inner Harbor World Trade Center—on both the sculpture and full-size in real life.

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