• The 25th annual Kinetic Sculpture Race in Baltimore showcased 29 teams navigating a 15-mile obstacle course with human-powered sculptures.
• The race included challenges through city streets, the harbor, mud pits, and sand, testing participants' engineering skills and creativity.
• The event celebrated Baltimore's unique community spirit, with participants and spectators embracing the race's quirky and artistic nature, while also remembering members of the community who had recently passed away.

Baltimore's Kinetic Sculpture Race, celebrating its 25th year, brought together artists, engineers, and community members for a unique event. The race featured 29 teams navigating a 15-mile course with human-powered sculptures. The course included obstacles such as steep hills, the city harbor, sand, and mud pits, pushing the limits of both the sculptures and their creators. The event, hosted by the American Visionary Art Museum, is a testament to Baltimore's quirky spirit and its dedication to community and artistic expression.

• What: The Kinetic Sculpture Race is an annual event in Baltimore where teams race human-powered sculptures through a 15-mile course with various obstacles.
• Who: Participants include artists, engineers, students, and community members. Key organizations include the American Visionary Art Museum (host) and involved schools like Jemicy School and Park School of Baltimore.
• When: The 25th annual race took place on May 5, 2025, with the opening ceremony starting at 9:00 AM and the race kicking off at 10:00 AM.
• Where: The race spans various locations in Baltimore, including the American Visionary Art Museum, Federal Hill Park, Canton Waterfront Park, and Patterson Park.

The Kinetic Sculpture Race represents a unique intersection of art, engineering, and community engagement. The event's longevity, reaching its 25th year, underscores its significance in Baltimore's cultural landscape. The race not only challenges participants to create innovative and whimsical contraptions, but it also fosters a sense of community pride and shared experience. The diverse range of sculptures and the obstacles they face symbolize the spirit of resilience and creativity that defines Baltimore.

You’re pedaling furiously and not a lot is happening. That’s the kinetic sculpture race!

It’s not monetized. It’s a gift to spectators. It’s what art should be.

It makes me love Baltimore even more. It makes me proud to be from Baltimore.

This is what it means to be Baltimore.

She just brings a little bit of joy to everybody and every street that she rides down. You're engineering, you're making something very creative and beautiful and fun and wild, and it helps unite the community, unites every neighborhood.

The 25th annual Kinetic Sculpture Race in Baltimore marked not just a milestone, but a vibrant testament to the city's enduring spirit of innovation and artistic expression. Born from the vision of Rebecca Hoffberger and inspired by the original races in Ferndale, California, the race has become a unique Baltimore tradition, deeply interwoven with the identity of the American Visionary Art Museum (AVAM). This year's race, like those before it, showcased human-powered, amphibious sculptures navigating a challenging 15-mile course through city streets, mud, sand, and even the harbor, embodying a whimsical fusion of art, engineering, and sheer physical endurance. More than just a race, it's a celebration that brings together artists, engineers, students, and community members, fostering teamwork, problem-solving, and a healthy dose of "real silliness". The inevitable mishaps and challenges faced by the "Kinetinauts" only added to the spectacle, highlighting the event's emphasis on participation and creative ingenuity rather than cutthroat competition. With its roots in outsider art and a focus on inclusivity, the Kinetic Sculpture Race continues to be a beloved event that champions Baltimore's quirky culture and the everyday people who make it so unique.