PORT TOWNSEND — The annual madness that takes over downtown under the guise of the Kinetic Skulpture Race has turned its first profit, organizers said.
“This is the first time in 27 years that we’ve made more money than we need to run the next year’s races,” said Marilyn Kurka, who served as the race’s head judge this year.
“So we decided to give something back to the community.”
A “monster check” to the Port Townsend Food Bank will be awarded at 3 p.m. today at Mountain View Commons, 1919 Blaine St., by the Kinetic Konsortium, members of which are expected to don their full Kinetic Kostumes for the occasion.
In the race, participants operating contraptions of various size and complexity race a four-mile course that includes mud, water and every terrain in between.
Who gets to the finish line first doesn’t really matter, since the most coveted prize is the “Mediocrity Award,” which is given to the competitor who is in the middle throughout the race.
The sponsors don’t track details like attendance, but at its peak, approximately 1,000 people jammed downtown for the parade and the float tests, where the sculptures were tested on their seaworthiness.
The event costs about $5,000. Usually, money earned from entry fees and Saturday night’s ball raise just enough to sustain the following year’s activities.
But a large turnout yielded extra funds this year, Kurka said, so organizers decided to provide support to the community.
Much of the event’s benefit has to do with the ability to draw in tourists who spend money at downtown businesses, which is appreciated by local merchants, said Port Townsend Main Street Executive Director Mari Mullen.
Mullen said that the race brings color, creativity and zany fun to town and attracts a large crowd that patronizes local shops and restaurants.
“It’s also a labor of love,” she said.
“It’s a unique event that reflects our community.”
________
Jefferson County Reporter Charlie Bermant can be reached at 360-385-2335 or charlie.bermant@peninsuladailynews.com.
