Ticket Questions:
How Much are the Tickets?
Prepurchased car passes are $8.00 per carload if you are planning to drive and park ($10 the day of the event). $2.00 per person if you arrive on foot, bicycle, pogo stick, or alien spacecraft. $20.00 per car for VIP parking. (Yes, your passengers must sit in the CDOT approved locations in your vehicle. No trunk-cramming or pickup-loads please.)
Does each spectator need a ticket?
That depends. If you arrive by car, then one ticket is sufficient for everyone in the car. If you arrive on foot, bicycle, etc., then each person entering the Reservoir must purchase a ticket. PS: Stuffing your trunk or pickup truck with 50 of your closest friends is not cool. And its illegal. And cops will be watching. And they won't let you in and will probably give you a ticket (not the good kind). Plus it upsets the natural and harmonious balance of spectators to cold drinks and portable toilets. So help us out, be cool, and buy enough tickets, ok?
How Do I get tickets?
We recommend purchasing tickets in advance. They are available for sale at the following locations. We are also working on other locations and distribution channels. Keep watching for updates.
Centennial Pool
1201 Alpine St, Longmont
(303) 651-8406
Festival on Main AUG. 26 ONLY:
Main Street, downtown Longmont, CO
Tickets will be available for purchase from the Kineticists at this event.
Will tickets be available on the day of the race or at the gate?
Yes, BUT: Tickets will be available at the gate, but general parking within the Union Reservoir grounds is extremely limited. Most of it will be reserved for the race teams, truck-boat parking, and the VIP lot. You will probably have to purchase your ticket and then drive up the road to park with everyone else, etc, etc. What a hassle. So do yourself (and us) a favor and buy your ticket(s) in advance.
What is the difference between General Admission and VIP tickets?
VIP tickets allow spectators to park VERY close to the event in a paved parking lot within the Union Reservoir grounds. General Admission tickets allow spectators to park in the grass parking lot across the street. They'll have to walk farther.
Can I upgrade my tickets?
No. Choose wisely.
Do you offer a senior or military discount?
We wish we could, but not this year.
Getting to the Event Questions:
Driving Directions:
Union Reservoir is located at 461 Weld County Road #26, Longmont, CO 80504
From I-25:
Take the Longmont / Highway 119 exit and proceed west (toward the mountains folks). Turn right on County Line Road (CR 1) and head north. Cross the railroad tracks. Turn right onto County Road 26 (CR 26) and head east. Follow the signs / volunteers / etc. for parking. Do not park along CR 26. You will be towed.
Mapquest: http://www.mapquest.com/maps?1c=Longmont&1s=CO&1a=State+Highway+119+%26+I+25&1z=80501&1y=US&1l=40.160676&1g=-104.978935&1v=INTERSECTION&2pn=Union+Reservoir&2c=Longmont&2s=CO&2y=US&2l=40.173317&2g=-105.043869&2v=ADDRESS&2id=13840693#initPgSt
From Longmont:
Take Ken Pratt Blvd / Highway 119 and proceed east (away from the mountains folks). Turn left on County Line Road (CR 1) and head north. Cross the railroad tracks. Turn right onto County Road 26 (CR 26) and head east again. Follow the signs / volunteers / etc. for parking. Do not park along CR 26. You will be towed.
Mapquest: http://www.mapquest.com/maps?1c=Longmont&1s=CO&1a=Ken+Pratt+Blvd+%26+S+Main+St&1z=80501&1y=US&1l=40.152468&1g=-105.102526&1v=INTERSECTION&2pn=Union+Reservoir&2c=Longmont&2s=CO&2y=US&2l=40.173317&2g=-105.043869&2v=ADDRESS&2id=13840693#initPgSt
Where do I park?
General Admission parking will be in the grass lot just south of the event. VIP and handicapped accessible parking will be in the paved lot. Show your ticket to the volunteers and they will direct you to the correct lot.
Do I have to pay to park?
No, that's already included in your ticket price.
Will there be a bike rack or facility where I can lock up my bike?
Hmm? We're working on that issue right now. We certainly hope so!
Is there handicapped parking available? Where is it?
A limited number of handicapped parking spaces are available within the Reservoir grounds. They are less than 200 ft from the event grounds.
Can I go back out to my car once I've entered the event?
Yea, sure. But your car cannot go in and out. Once you've parked, you're parked.
I want to bring my boat. Where can I park my rig after I launch?
A very limited number of trailer parking spaces are available. We encourage you to watch the race from the shore. You'll see more and won't have to hassle with the boat after the race.
Race Day Questions:
When do the gates open?
Gates open at 6:00 AM.
When does the race start / end?
The race officially starts at 10:00 AM. The course closes at 2:00 PM. First and second place winners will be announced at 12:30 PM. The event officially ends at 3:00 PM.
Where is the actual race course / spectator area?
The race course will cover the southeast quarter of the Union Reservoir grounds. Please see this year's course map: kineticists.org/LinkClick.aspx. The land portion of the race course will circle the camping area west of the boat ramp before returning to the ramp for the first transition from land to water. Krafts will then head west, round the bouy at "O. T's Delight" and then return to the southeast corner of the lake for the remainder of the race. This year's race will only be one lap. There are multiple transition areas from land to water and back as well as several challenges along the race course.
Spectators are welcome to view all portions of the race course, but the primary spectator area will be between the swim beach and the stage.
Can I come early and see the sculptures or meet the teams?
Yes! Come forth and witness our awesomeness! Kinetic sculptures and teams will be on exhibition at 8:00 AM.
Is there any place to sit?
There are several nice grassy areas as well as several beach areas, and even a few picnic tables. But, blankets or lawn chairs are still a good idea if you want to sit.
Is there shade?
Yes! There are many shady trees at Union Reservoir. There are also many fine upstanding trees there. Neither group likes the other, but both block the sun equally well.
What happens if it rains?
Quoting kinetic sculpture racing's founder Hobart Brown: "In the event of sunshine, the race will be held anyway." We plan to race unless weather conditions threaten the safety of the racers or the spectators. Rain is a good thing, hailstones and lightning aren't. You know the drill.
Will there be food vendors?
Yes. Several food vendors are scheduled. The Union Reservoir also operates a small store onsite. Bring some money. Spend it freely. Help us out.
MOMMIE I GOTTA GO! <or> Bathrooms, Wash stations, ADA bathrooms?:
Yes, we will have all three. Mostly of the portable variety. But there are handicapped accessible facilities already at the Reservoir.
What Can I Bring? Questions:
Things you should bring:
A good attitude. A goofy costume. Sunscreen. Sunglasses and a hat. A camera. A good pair of walking shoes. A towel.
Can I bring a blanket or lawn chairs?
Yes. Sitting facilities are limited. I'd bring my own if I were you.
What about a tent or "pop-up" shelter?
Dude, seriously? There isn't space for that. Leave it at home.
What about a wagon/stroller for the kids?
Yes, but the actual spectator grounds are pretty small. It's probably not necessary unless you have very small children.
Scooters?
If its the kind used for personal mobility assistance, yes. If its the kind you ride down the sidewalk like a skateboard with handlebars, no. (Wanna ride something cool at the race? Then enter a team!)
Can I bring my own food and drink / cooler?
Yes. But no glass containers or alcohol of any kind please. Also, there will be food vendors serving lots of yummie eats.
What about alcohol?
NO! Nope. No way. Nein. Non. And that includes ANY sort of beer or wine, as well as hard liquor. This ain't the old race. Leave it at home. We're here for family-friendly fun. If you feel like having a cold one after the race, we recommend visiting one of Longmont's many fine restaurants.