On Saturday, May 5, the casual Baltimore observer may be confused by packs of absurdly dressed individuals, but those in the know have been long preparing for the 14th Annual Kinetic Sculpture Race and all the fun that comes with it. If you have never been, there is still time to scour the nearby thrift stores for an appropriately-crazy outfit and plan your spot on the route.

The Kinetic Sculpture race is like nothing you have ever seen before. Completely human-powered sculptures ranging from a few to fifty feet in length will race across the city, heading up and down Federal Hill, through mud and sand in Patterson Park, and even into the Harbor. The competitors battle it out for awards ranging from the coveted Next-to-the-Last honor to the popular Mediocre Award. The full route will be published here a week prior to the event but for a glimpse of what is to come check out last year’s guide. The races start at 10 AM but you can preview the structures prior to the competition at the American Visionary Arts Museum. 

All funding for this unforgettable event is pulled together by the museum, the race’s organizer. You can support future races by visiting the museum throughout the year or by attending events such as the Mr. Rain’s Fun House reception fundraiser hosted on Friday, May 4, 2012.