May 3rd 2008,
the weather could not have been better – sun, only a light breeze, and very mild temperatures boosted the spirits of Kineticists, volunteers, and spectators alike throughout the day. The theme for this year was “Mud, Sweat, and Gears.” Lucky for the Kineticists, there was very little mud to be had on the course, as it was held in a parking lot next to the 29th Street Mall in Boulder rather than along the shores of the Boulder Reservoir.
This year’s event was a nonprofit benefit for the Boulder/Broomfield County Foster/Adoptive Families Association. Major event sponsors included 29th Street Mall, Twisted Pine Brewery, and JCI Boulder, with additional assistance provided by Purple Avocado Catering, Radio Resources, Cyclepathz, Ballistix, Micro Motion, and several individual Kineticist supporters. All told, there were over 100 people directly involved in the parade, trials, and additional entertainment, and about twice that number of onlookers.
All reports from the trenches indicated that the registration and check-in processes went smoothly, and even the Wizard had a few good words about how well organized the paperwork was. Each group entering the parade or 
trials was required to complete a registration form, sign waiver and code of conduct forms, and submit a fee that would then be donated to the nominated charity. Additionally, Kineticists were required to submit one homemade trophy per entry, which the Great Kinetic Wizard later awarded to deserving Kineticist teams for various notable achievements and antics throughout the day.
The complicated trials course was ready to go on time, but it took a little longer than expected to brief the course helpers and get them into position. Nevertheless, once the randomly seeded heats began, things went smoothly and all races were completed within the remaining allotted time so that the teams were able to move on to the public expo and parade as scheduled.
A total of 15 Kineticist teams competed in the trials. All the teams successfully navigated the course with only a little guidance from helpers, and there were no major collisions or injuries. Kids and adults alike enjoyed lobbing splash balls and firing water pistols at the Kineticists as they performed the fire drill portion of the course. It might not have been all that refreshing to get soaked at 10:30 on a cool morning, but team members dealt with the onslaught in good humor, and occasionally managed to toss one back at their attackers.
Despite some initial confusion about lineup order, and a short delay due to technical issues at the judges’ stand, the parade finished on time. The Wizard did a great job as MC, and Twister provided a little comic relief for the crowd and the teams at the far end of the parade route.
In addition to 16 kinetic contraptions, the parade featured music from bagpipers and a local high school drum line, as well as a happy dog and an excellent display of coordination and prowess from a local martial arts school.
Pre- and post-parade musical entertainment was provided by Sol Fed Joe, the Jezebel Project, and Doctor Doctor. Special guest judges for the parade included Ray Imel, Don Wrege, Doug Clifton, and Glen Gerber.
Registration fees, booth sales, in-kind donations from sponsors, and cash voting donations for the teams collectively totaled over $1100, which will all be donated to the Boulder/Broomfield County Foster/Adoptive Families Association. Kudos to everyone involved, who helped take a for-profit event with big brand name sponsors, lots of logistics problems, security issues, and a very bad reputation and turn it into a successful non-profit charitable event with local sponsors, local beneficiaries, and plenty of family-friendly fun for all.
By Aimee Dorman