For one thing, grassroots organizers are focusing their efforts on keeping alive the annual parade of silly costumes and homemade land and water crafts -- not the traditional post-procession party at the Boulder Reservoir where participants test their vessels in water races.
While organizers said the May 3 parade -- tentatively planned for the Twenty Ninth Street mall -- could culminate with more festivities at the reservoir, they're not announcing any additional Kinetics activities for that day.
"The only official Kinetics event is the parade," one organizer, Paul Bailey, said. "However ... there are going to be other things happening."
Bailey said his group isn't talking about the day's other happenings because, "If we announce anything, then there are all kinds of interesting permitting and security stuff that starts happening."
But city officials said a large crowd of kineticists and onlookers can't just show up at the reservoir or any other city-owned property and stage a spontaneous event.
It's a violation of city code to hold a gathering of more than 50 people -- or to have an event involving alcohol -- on city land without a permit, said Paul Bousquet, spokesman for the city's Parks and Recreation Department.
And, he said, the Kinetics group hasn't contacted the city about obtaining a permit for any events May 3.
"You can't just show up and have a non-organized, organized thing," Bousquet said.
If the Kinetics parade spills over onto a city-owned property, and someone calls authorities to complain that a large group has convened, Bousquet said police could ticket organizers and break up the gathering.
He said the permitting process gives police and fire departments time to prepare for parking, traffic and enforcement issues; reservoir officials time to take safety precautions; and neighbors the knowledge that a large gathering is planned near their home.
"If you and 41 of your friends decide to have a picnic at a park or go to the reservoir and fly kites and have fun, that's fine," Bousquet said. "But it really is for the good of the community that we have a 50-person cap in the code."
Bousquet said a previously planned triathlon scheduled for May 4 at the reservoir adds to the complication of possible Kinetics plans there May 3. Organizers of the "Tri for Your Cause" event have been approved to set up the day before the race, he said.
"So you might end up with a challenge there," Bousquet said.
Bailey said his group is ironing out details of the revamped Kinetics, which is being sponsored by the Boulder Jaycees as a fundraiser for Boulder County foster children.
KBCO announced in November it was "suspending" its support for the 2008 Kinetics because of financial reasons. Officials at the Boulder radio station said the event had become a financial liability for Clear Channel Communications because of dropping attendance and heightened city restrictions.
Bailey said his group is dedicated to keeping Kinetics and its spirit alive -- even if it's more informal and somewhat different.
He said his group is meeting with Twenty Ninth Street mall officials this week to discuss event insurance and associated costs for the parade.
Lori Giggey, marketing manager for Twenty Ninth Street, said Wednesday that her organization wants to host the parade for the second straight year, though time is running short for finalizing details.
"We want to see if we can make this signature event for Boulder stay a signature event," she said.
Underground organizers met Wednesday night in the Pearl Street Mall's Lazy Dog Bar & Grill to talk about how they want the event to play out. Suggested entry fees of $50 and a possible May 1 sign-up deadline were among the listed topics for discussion.
Group members say about a dozen teams have committed to building crafts for the procession. They expect more entrants to emerge as the event nears.
"I wish there was more enthusiasm," said Ed Pomponi, an organizer and long-time participant. "But there's enough interest that something will happen. That's for sure."