Get ready for the 11th Kensington Kinetic Sculpture Derby

Philly cyclists often feel as if they have to fight for every block of bike lanes, but there’s at least one day out of the year where the city’s most glorious directly human-powered contraptions get their day in the sun. And if Kensington isn’t rolling out the red carpet, it is hosing down the mud pit, which is probably more enjoyable anyway.

The 11th Annual Kensington Kinetic Sculpture Derby, or as it’s now known for its number-one sponsor, the Philadelphia Federal Credit Union Kensington Kinetic Sculpture Derby & Arts Festival, is coming up on Saturday, May 21. It’s hosted by the New Kensington Community Development Corporation (NKCDC) and is the featured event of the concurrent Trenton Avenue Arts Festival, organized by the East Kensington Neighbors Association (EKNA), which will feature more than 200 vendors. (Here’s our WNWN look at the 2015 Derby.)

For the uninitiated, what is a “kinetic sculpture”? It’s “a human-powered vehicle that is also a sculpture. Like parade floats built around bikes, wagons, and hand-cranked platforms,” according to NKCDC.

While the event rides high in the hearts of Fishtown and Kensington, it’s become a city-wide destination that draws thousands to its north-south figure 8-shaped route.

At noon, the arts fest kicks off, and the Derby launches from Trenton Avenue and Norris Street at 12:30. Fifteen minutes later, heading southeast down Norris Street, contestants will hit the course’s first obstacle, the Fish-Head Slalom, at Norris and Susquehanna. Spectators can catch “Bubble Alley” at about 1:15 at Frankford and Girard. The Mudpit Finish, back at Trenton and Norris, closes out the contest at 3pm.

And remember, EKNA says: It’s not a race. It’s a parade of Philly’s wackiest springtime ingenuity.

Prizes will be awarded at 4pm, in categories including People’s and Judges’ Choice, Best Art, Best Engineering, Best Costuming, Best/Worst Pun, and many more. Food trucks on hand for the festivities will include Little Baby’s Ice Cream, Kung Fu Hoagies, Primo Pizza, Taco Mondo, and the Cow and the Curd.

The Philadelphia Federal Credit Union Kensington Kinetic Sculpture Derby & Arts Festival is coming up on Saturday, May 21 from 12-6pm.