Join the Kinetic Movement: Race, Build, and Explore STEAM at West Columbia’s Kinetic Derby Day!

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West Columbia, SC  – The City of West Columbia is gearing up for the award-winning 5th Annual Kinetic Derby Day featuring iMAGINE on April 20, 2024, from 10:30 AM to 3:30 PM, on State and Meeting Streets, in West Columbia, South Carolina. The Kinetic Sculpture Parade kicks off the day and will feature participants dressed to represent their favorite cartoon characters (this year’s them). The soapbox and obstacle course racing begins at 11 AM. Registration for racing and the parade is still open. State Street transforms into the iMAGINE STEAM Festival, with over 30 interactive booths for adults and children. The day includes competition and fun for all ages as teams construct unique vehicles and art installations. Register for the parade, racing, sponsoring, and volunteering at www.kineticderbyday.com.

Details
Kinetic Sculpture Parade – 10:30 AM – Meeting Street
Register to participate.
What is a Kinetic Sculpture?
It is a human-powered vehicle, gear-based with no stored energy, motors, or electricity, designed to reflect your interpretation of the yearly theme (2024 is Cartoon). Bring your imagination to life and travel through the parade route in the heart of the River District in West Columbia. A panel of judges will award the most inventive entries with trophies in a variety of categories. Your sculpture can travel as an individual or a team (a team can include multiple members on a pedal-powered sculpture with themed costumes or multiple escorts in costume riding or walking along with a sculpture that includes kinetic movement).

iMAGINE STEAM Festival – State Street
Register to participate.
The iMAGINE STEAM Festival on State Street showcases interactive exhibits, emphasizing Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Math (STEAM) to engage Pre-K through 12th-grade students and families in STEAM subjects and careers. This festival is a dynamic street fair that showcases hands-on learning exhibits provided by companies, schools, and nonprofits, all aimed at making STEAM subjects come alive for families. Explore interactive exhibits, conduct fun experiments, and get hands-on with the latest in STEAM education. It is a unique opportunity for families to engage with the worlds of science, technology, art, engineering, and math in a fun and exciting way.

The Kids’ Zone, presented by the Boys and Girls Club – State Street
Bounce House
Obstacle Course
Host to exhibition soapbox racing for the little ones
Face Painting and more!

Meeting Street Artisan Market – Interactive Art Park
Over 20 vendors showcasing and selling handmade art, crafts, and creations.

Giant Slide, Food Truck Rally, & Chalk Artists – Corner of Meeting and State Streets
FREE giant slide for all ages.
Multiple food trucks with a diverse selection to satisfy all appetites.
Multiple chalk artists create temporary art on the street. Interact with the artists as they finish their masterpieces.

Soapbox and Obstacle Racing – 11 AM & 1:30 PM – Meeting Street
Experience the ultimate Kinetic Derby Day in West Columbia, SC, by participating in both the soapbox derby race and the exhilarating obstacle course. The soapbox racing kicks off at 11 AM, allowing teams of up to 5 to register their derby cars. Choose to build either an art car or a need-for-speed car, and compete for exciting prizes while embracing the cartoon theme by dressing up as your favorite character. Enjoy an exhilarating soapbox race down a massive hill, featuring outrageous vehicles like rocket ships and giant rubber ducks, reminiscent of the “Little Rascals.” Then, at 1:30 PM, gear up for the obstacle course, a solo showdown of speed and precision open to participants aged 13 and older. Equip your soapbox car with pedals to conquer challenges like the “Green Slime,” “Foam Surprise,” and the thrilling “Water Obstacle.” It’s a day filled with skill, creativity, daring, and unforgettable experiences!

For more details, volunteering, team registration, or sponsorship, visit www.kineticderbyday.com.

Thank You to Our Sponsors & Partners
TNT Martial Arts & Fitness
House of Raeford
Aflac
The Carolina Law Group
Cayce’s Best After School and Summer Camp
Dynamite Kids After School and Summer Camp
NAI Columbia
The Sourcing Group
First Community Bank
Security Federal Bank
Professional Printers
Savage Craft Ale Works
Ds Wings
WXRY 99.3 FM
Whetzel’s Automotive
Giles Brothers Insurance
PASCO
Something Borrowed Wedding & Party Rentals
Faithful Marketing & Events
Boys & Girls Club of the Midlands
Brookland United Methodist Church
The Graphics Source

About Kinetic Derby Day
The mission of Kinetic Derby Day is to inspire creative problem-solving, build community pride, and showcase our growing community welcoming economic investment. The event is intended to inspire creative thinkers and help develop problem-solving skills to construct the ideas imagined. For more information, visit www.kineticderbyday.com.

About iMAGINE
iMAGINE is a program of South Carolina’s Coalition for Mathematics & Science (SCCMS) at Clemson University. Its mission is to create meaningful experiences that promote a culture of lifelong learning and professional growth with an emphasis on science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics (STEAM), innovation, and entrepreneurial activity in South Carolina. For more information visit https://www.imaginesteamsc.org/ or contact Dallas Thomas at dthomas@sccoalition.org.