A calmer, scaled-down Kinetic Sculpture Challenge may arrive at the shores of Union Reservoir, east of Longmont, in late summer.
City officials and die-hard Kinetic supporters are in talks to reinvent the venerable celebration of spring and humankind’s inventive nature.
At one time, Kinetics attracted top rock acts and up to 60,000 people to Boulder Reservoir.
But the celebration came under fire for the sometimes booze-fueled antics of participants and onlookers.
Attendance also had declined, prompting Boulder radio station KBCO to drop its sponsorship in 2008.
The Sculpture Challenge has since been limited to “land only” events in Boulder.
Organizers say they want to return to the roots of Kinetics, which emphasized ingenuity and a clean, good time for all. Longmont’s Union Reservoir seems like the ideal spot, said Kinetics “media maven” Charmaine Getz.
“Union Reservoir seemed like the best general location to meet the requirements of logistics, civic support and costs at the present time,” Getz said.
Kinetics in Boulder County started in 1980, with the call for backyard engineers to produce moving sculptures that could travel by land and water while being powered only by riders.
Costumed participants produced some memorable monikers for their rides, such as We Like To Watch; Marvin’s Mischievous Misfit Moist Motorin’ Meshuggahs; The Schwing Team; The Boulder Hippies Have Fallen and They Can’t Get Up; and Dahmer Invites Peruvian Rugby Team For Leftovers.
The new Kinetics would still invite fun but with more of a family atmosphere, said Don Bessler, Longmont’s director of parks, open space and public facilities.
“We are not looking to repeat the CU spring fling atmosphere,” Bessler said. “We don’t want 5,000 people at the reservoir hoping to have a big beer party.”
Instead, Union Reservoir would host about 30 crafts booths, as well as food vendors and activities for families.
Kinetics might be held in late August on a Saturday to dovetail with Longmont’s annual Festival on Main Street that’s held Friday night, Bessler said.
“We’re very excited about it,” he said. “We can take something with a colorful past and bring it to Longmont to show that we have a great amenity here.”
Monte Whaley: 720-929-0907 or mwhaley@denverpost.com
