Prescott Valley’s Kinetic Sculpture Race to Team up with the 2010 Battle of the Bands
Prescott Valley, AZ – April 22, 2009 – The Town of Prescott Valley’s Arts and Culture Commission and the Prescott Valley Chamber of Commerce announced today that the fourth annual Prescott Valley Kinetic Sculpture Race (PVKSR) will be run in May, 2010 to kick off the Battle of the Bands event, instead of partnering with the September, 2009 PV World Arts Festival. “We are excited to add this colorful event to the long running local favorite, Battle of the Bands,” commented Marnie Uhl, PV Chamber CEO. “We think it’s a fun addition and will introduce the race to more members of the community,” Uhl added. Brian Witty, the Town of Prescott Valley’s Park and Recreation Director agreed. “Being that both the Kinetic Sculpture Race and the Battle of the Bands are sponsored town events the combination of their resources and personnel should work well together,” said Witty. The PVKSR is a race of people-powered works of art, based on the original Kinetic Sculpture Race that began 40 years ago in Eureka, California. Since then, races have been run in many cities, from Boulder, Colorado to Baltimore, Maryland. “This year, we plan to attend the start of the original race in Arcata; to celebrate the 40th running,” commented PV race organizer and Arts and Culture Commissioner Cynthia Jones. “We’re grateful to both the town and the chamber for collaborating to keep this wacky event going in these budget-conscious times,” Jones added. “We are hoping to have some entries from the 2008 PVKSR at this year’s Battle of the Bands, May 16. That way, people can get an idea of what the whole thing is about and start planning their entries for 2010. Unfortunately, last years’ course was a little rough and not all the entries survived in operational order,” said Jones. “But we’re hoping to have some to display, like Northcentral University’s Smart Green Machine and Cosmic Steel’s Suessical Pedal Tractor. We might even talk them into a mini race before the music starts,” Jones added. There will also be information available on the race, how to get started making an entry and contacts of other local people who have been involved in the past. Last year’s race winning sponsor, the Jackass Bar and Grill will have their Grand Champion trophy on display. All race trophies have been made by local metal sculptor, Rick Harter, who has two pieces at the Prescott Valley Civic Center, Dance of Whimsy and In Your Eyes. For more information on the PVKSR, visit www.pvksr.org; on the Battle of the Bands, visit www.pvaz.net or www.pvchamber.org and click on the Events link. Contact: Cynthia Jones PVKSR cjcom@cableone.net 928-273-0513 - cell 928-772-4710 - home |
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| Prescott Valley’s Third Kinetic Sculpture Race a Delight for All Ages
2008 Race draws bigger crowds and more fun This years’ Prescott Valley Kinetic Sculpture Race (www.pvksr.org), September 13 brought family members of all ages together to laugh and marvel at the unusual people-powered entries. Elliot Naess’ Counterfeit Blues Mobile, a ‘50’s era Cadillac dressed up like a California Highway Patrol car with a fiberglass body, was piloted by the new Arizona Rhinos basketball team (www.arizonarhinos.com). With knees up to their chins, Coach Orlando Woolridge and crew took it around the challenging course to win the ACE trophy. Royce Carlson’s (www.zenzibar.com) amazing Seussian Pedal Tractor with its brilliant colors, circus performer-like crew and collection of 25 or so assorted shoes took the Most Artistic, Crazy Nate’s Craziest and Racer’s Choice trophies. Northcentral University (www.ncu.edu) for the third year garnered the Most Enthusiastic Sponsor award and Able Competitor. The Crowd Favorite this year was Happy Birthday Prescott Valley, a divine pink layer cake piloted by the Hot Chicks out of Peddler’s Pass, three-time competitors and last years’ Grand Champion. The Town of Prescott Valley’s Purple People Eater entry was taken over by ghouls (The Lindenstein’s and friends) with a very elaborate skit, costumes and decorations, which won them the Best Team Effort award. The Ol’ Green Machine, a 27-year old original entry from the Boulder, CO races piloted by Clark Zell won Best Engineering and Best Theme – Good Green Fun and the Mars Rover took the Absolute Disaster Award. Joe Sheetz entry, the Recycle Cycle took Best Use of Recycled Materials, Henry Ford Goes Surfing, Naess’ Model T stretch took Least Slow and the Grand Champion Brass Jackass Trophy went to the Pear County Chopper, sponsored and piloted by the Jackass Bar and Grill. All the spectacular work-of-art trophies were again made by Kirkland resident and long time kinetic sculpture race organizer Rick Hartner of www.sittingduckstudio.com. Persephone and the Bicycle Boogie Band provided rousing entertainment and The Grand Poo Bah (Marnie Uhl, Executive Director of the Prescott Valley Chamber of Commerce) and the Tumbleweed Queen, Meredith Hughes, helped MC the event. Sponsors of this years’ race include: Town of Prescott Valley’s Arts and Culture Commission, Northcentral University, Arizona’s Hometown Radio Group (KPPV, etc.), Freedom Station, Jackass Bar and Grill, Crazy Nate’s/B&L Flooring, Lonesome Valley Newspaper, Dr Sam Yamamoto, Helen Ruddell and Mary Murphy. Special thanks to the Fain Signature Group for the use of “Fain Flats,” the dirt lot at the corner of Lakeshore and Lake Valley where the race took place. Extra special thanks to Brian Witty and the PV park and recreation team for outstanding support and enthusiasm. For photos, videos and information about the race visit www.pvksr.org. |  Happy Birthday Prescott Valley – PVKSR Crowd Favorite, piloted by Patti Evans, Angie Parker, Suzy Arnold and Trish Farrell.  Pear County Chopper piloted by JR, sponsored by the Jackass Bar and Grill, winner of the Brass Jackass Grand Champion Award. |
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Meredith Hughes Wins World’s First Tumbleweed Queen Pageant
Reigning for One Year Over the Prescott Valley Kinetic Sculpture Race |
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| Prescott Valley, AZ – September 7, 2008 – Last night at the Jackass Bar and Grill the World’s First Tumbleweed Queen was chosen from a pool of Prescott Valley talent. Meredith Hughes wowed the judges and audience alike with her humor, bribery and original song about a lifelong ambition to be the Tumbleweed Queen. Cheered on by her colleagues from Northcentral University (www.ncu.edu) and given an extra bribery boost by NCU’s owner Don Hecht’s offer to by the house a round, Hughes was chosen the winner by a panel of expert judges; including Jim Lewis, Helen Ruddell, Dan Hussey, Doug and Sherry Lindenstein and George and Dawn from the Jackass Bar and Grill. Hughes was crowned with an original work-of-art tiara made by local artist Juanita Hull Carlson and presented with a ribbon and a red rose and gold tumbleweed bouquet, beautifully crafted by Prescott Valley Florists. |  |
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Other contestants in the pageant were outstanding, making the judges job a difficult one. “Queen Lupa” and her cast of hundreds of fans waved signs and chanted “Lupa. Lupa.” Jean Lupa, advertising executive with KPPV radio brought a lot of competition to the event with her florescent orange wig and tap dance routine, not to mention significant bribery and cajolery. Not to be outdone, “Matilda” displayed some astounding fashion sense and humor, along with a transparent shell game as his/her talent. | |||||||
| “Debo” as contestant number four was also adroit at answering the questions posed to her and as her talent played a melodious song by tapping partially filled, different sized glasses with a spoon. Late comers Christina (winner of the Prescott Valley Idol contest) and Beth scored very high with the judges on talent with their beautiful voices. And a last minute showing by Arizona Rhinos basketball team owner Kisha Spellman-Wright and players Anthony Oxley and Emmanuel Brown rounded out the night’s festivities. Hughes in her newly crowned role of Tumbleweed Queen will reign for a year over the Prescott Valley Kinetic Sculpture Race (www.pvksr.org), which takes place Saturday, September 13 at 10 AM, beginning at the corner of Lakeshore and Lake Valley, across from the Prescott Valley Civic Center. For more information visit www.pvksr.org or call 928-772-4710. |
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PVKSR 2008 Trophies Made and Donated by Local Artists |
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The Prescott Valley Kinetic Sculpture Race is again fortunate to have all the trophies hand made and donated by local artists Rick Hartner (www.sittingduckstudio.com) and Juanita-Hull Carlson (www.zenzibar.com/juanita/default.htm), who is also making the Tumbleweed Queen Tiara.
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Prescott Valley Kinetic Sculpture Race Rides Again Takes Place September 13 with PV 30th Anniversary Celebration Prescott Valley, AZ - April 10, 2008 - The Town of Prescott Valley's Arts and Culture Commission announced today that the third annual Prescott Valley Kinetic Sculpture Race (www.pvksr.org) will be off and running - or pedaling - the first day of the Prescott Valley 30th Anniversary celebration scheduled for September 13, 2008. "The Kinetic Sculpture Race is an entirely people-powered "green" event, with entries predominantly based on bicycle foundations, embellished with moving "works of art" and pedaled on a course," commented Brian Witty, Prescott Valley Parks and Recreation Director (www.pvaz.net). The first Kinetic Sculpture Race was originally run over 30 years ago in Eureka, California (www.kinetickingdom.com), and still runs today. "I think once you're bitten by the kinetic sculpture racing bug, it's hard to resist, it's all about creativity, imagination and having fun. Of course, there's a little bit of engineering involved, too," Witty added. This year there will be the addition of a new prize category for entries constructed of recycled materials, in keeping with the theme of Good, Green Fun. Two of the entries from 2007 (the towns' Purple People Eater - winner of Least Slow, and Northcentral University's Roadrunner - winner of Able Competitor) will be on display at the KPPV/KDDL (106.7/94.3) live remote Saturday, April 19 from 11 AM to 2 PM at Lighting USA, 6711 E 2nd Street, in Prescott Valley. Call 928-775-9889 for directions. A screening of the Dish Network's "Magnificent Obsessions" television program that featured the Ventura, California race, as well as a few shots from the Prescott Valley race will be scheduled soon. Anyone interested in participating in or volunteering for the Prescott Valley Kinetic Sculpture Race should contact Prescott Valley Arts and Culture Commissioner and Committee Chair Cynthia Jones at 928-772-4710 or cjcom@cableone.net, or Patricia Chalcraft at the Town of Prescott Valley's Parks and Recreation Department at 928-759-3090. For more information and photos of last year's event visit www.pvksr.org, and sign up to be on the PVKSR email list. 2007 PVKSR Goes Off with a Bang!The 2007 Prescott Valley Kinetic Sculpture Race was again generously sponsored by the Town of PV's Arts and Culture Commission , Northcentral University and the PV Tribune The race got off to a great start with some outstanding musical accompaniment from Persephone and her Bicycle Boogie Band , while the judges cast a critical eye on all entries for any infractions. Bribes were generously doled out and readily accepted. Judges included: Rick and Rosie Hartner - Sitting Duck Studios (Rick also made the incredible sculpture trophies) Royce and Juanita Hull-Carlson - Cosmic Steel and Planet Amphibia as the Technicolor Tutu and "Judgmental" Eric Brummell - Vigraha and Vaikuntha Fine Art Gallery Dale Fitzner - Chairman, PV Arts and Culture Commission Dave Newman - Newman Gallery, Prescott Erica Ryberg - Read It Here, publisher and bike queen Christine Scott - FoTA, former Arts and Culture Commissioner and Judge Judy Safety Inspectors included Brian Witty, PV Park and Rec director, and NCU Word King, Bert Woodall. Erin Walsh of NCU brought a sense of order out of chaos to the registration tent. The race course was readied by Ken Stanton and the able PV public works crew, with assistance from the Park and Rec staff. Marnie Uhl (Executive Director of the PV Chamber of Commerce), MC'd the event as "Donatella" this year, bringing a serious sense of fun to the proceedings. As entries were introduced, many of them had skits or songs to enhance their themes. Clyde Neville blasted off the Confetti Cannon and they were off! The racers made their way across the field, around the concrete concourse stopping at the labyrinth to retrieve a stone from its center, and pedaled hard up the hill to the sand pit. Once through, they were further slowed down by the mud pit and series of bumps. As they rounded the turn for the finish line, the Central Yavapai Fire District was there to cool them off. Trophies were presented to the winners by "Donatella" with excellent music provided by Persephone and the gang. Entries and their trophies awarded were: . Ruler of the Skies - Kyle Jarpe; Award = Able Competitor . Time Machine - Bart and Leslie Riall; Award = Best Theme - Exercise your Imagination, Able Competitor . Hot Flitter Critters - Angie and Steve Parker, Suzy and Gary Arnold, Trisha Farrell and Patti Evens; Awards = Racer's Favorite and Grand Champion . Northcentral University's RoadRunner - Award = Able Competitor . 3 Sheetz to the Wynd - Joe and Will Sheetz, Jon and Trevor Navarro, Lars Weimar; Awards = Crowd Favorite, Best Teamwork, Most Artistic . Pear County Chopper - Elliott Naess; Award = Best Engineering . Purple People Eater - Town of PV; Award = Least Slow . Henry Ford Goes Surfing - Piloted by volunteers from NCU and Arcosanti; Award = Most Assistance Required . Bat Boy - Joey Witty; Award = Able Competitor Additional trophies were awarded to Elliott Naess for Farthest Distance Traveled and Cynthia Jones for Head Tamale. All except the Able competitor trophies were made and donated by Rick Harter, sittingduckstudio.com. A hilarious time was had by most, with the words "next year" echoing across the field. Many thanks to the Town of PV Park and Rec staff, Arizona Ranch and Resort Cars for the loan of the Racer Pacer, Lonesome Valley Food and Wine for refreshments, and Steve Parker's FoTA group for support. |
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Trophies Worth Pedaling ForThis year's Prescott Valley Kinetic Sculpture Race has people entering the race just for a chance to win one of the one-of-a-kind real works of art created and donated by local artist Rick Hartner. |
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Hartner, a Kirkland resident, has been working as a contemporary metal sculptor for over seven years, using primarily recycled metal. With his degree in Environmental Resource Geography from San Diego State University and a career as a Recycling Operations Manager, Hartner claims to have "elevated recycling to a fine art." And indeed he has. His current installation "Dance of Whimsy" at the Prescott Valley Civic Center is valued at about $16,000. "And this talented artist is donating these trophies for the race," commented Cynthia Jones, the Arts and Culture Commissioner organizing the PVKSR. "This is such an incredible gift. Everyone who has seen them wants to win one." Jones added. The race is scheduled for 10 AM, Saturday September 15, kicking off the World Arts Festival at the Prescott Valley Civic Center. Hartner's connection with Kinetic Sculpture (moving works of art) doesn't stop there. He was the original founder of the Boulder Colorado Kinetic Sculpture Race in the late seventies and organized it for about 20 years. Locally, he is a member of the Mountain Artist's Guild and the Prescott Fine Arts Association. He has completed over 30 commissions ranging from entry gates on James Hubbell homes to giant wind sculptures at Quail Botanical Gardens in the San Diego area, as well as many pieces for the Juniper Well Ranch in Skull Valley. For more information on the Prescott Valley Kinetic Sculpture Race and its trophies, visit www.pvksr.org or call 928-772-4710 | ||||||||
PV Kinetic Sculpture Race Sponsored by Northcentral UniversityNorthcentral University announced recently that it has again agreed to sponsor the Prescott Valley Kinetic Sculpture Race (PVKSR) that kicks off the World Arts Festival September 15. "We are delighted to take the opportunity to name the course again for this entertaining community event," commented Dr. Claudia Santin, NCU President. This year's theme, "Exercise Your Imagination," is meant to get people thinking about creative ways to embellish their pedaled entries. All entries must be people powered, generally built on a bicycle-type base. "There's a wealth of information on the website at www.pvksr.org on the history of the race, ideas for building entries, and lots of photos of previous racers," commented Brian Witty, PV Park and Recreation Director. "The Town of PV will be airing the workshop filmed last year on how to put together the Side Kick bicycle kits that are available from www.americanspeedster.com," Witty added. This year the World Arts Festival will include a labyrinth by local labyrinth expert Judith Joyce, a founding member, former Vice President and Board Member of the Labyrinth Society. Her work can be seen at www.spirit-matters.com. "The labyrinth will be incorporated into the PVKSR course (see course map), and racers will interact with it during the race," said Witty. The PVKSR is sponsored by the PV Arts and Culture Commission and the Friends of the Arts group. If you are interested in Exercising Your Imagination at the second annual Prescott Valley Kinetic Sculpture Race as a sponsor, participant or volunteer, contact Cynthia Jones at cjcom@cableone.net or visit www.pvksr.org. Race Map now available! Prescott Valley Kinetic Sculpture Race Rides AgainPVKSR Event Slated to Open PV World Arts Festival Saturday, September 15 Prescott Valley, AZ-May 22, 2007-The Arts and Culture Commission of the Town of Prescott Valley announced today that the second annual Prescott Valley Kinetic Sculpture Race (PVKSR) will be kicking off the World Arts Festival Saturday, September 15. "The Town of Prescott Valley is delighted to support this event once again," commented Brian Witty, PV Park and Recreation Director. "It promises to be a fun way to open the World Arts Festival this year," Witty added. The Prescott Valley Kinetic Sculpture Race is an entirely people-powered event, predominantly based on bicycle power and originally founded over 30 years ago in Northern California. See http://www.kineticscuplurerace.com for the history of this unusual event. "We are excited about the interest we are getting this year, with people in the Quad-Cities area already at the drawing board working on their designs," commented Commissioner and Committee Chair, Cynthia Jones." We encourage people to enter decorated bicycles, such as those participating in the Art on Wheels event that is part of Tsunami on the Square in Prescott in June," said Jones. "We are considering organizing the event into different categories this year, so the entries can range from simply decorated bikes, to pre-fab kits to more elaborate handmade machines. Imagination is the key and the more things moving the better,"Jones added. The current plan is for a pancake breakfast and live remote hosted by KPPV 106.7 FM radio to start the day off at 8:30 AM, Saturday, September 15. The racers will begin assembling and the race will start at 10:00 AM. "Bands and other entertainment will add to the festive atmosphere," commented Witty. "And the both the Kinetic Sculpture Race and World Arts Festival are free to the public," Witty added. The course will run around the PV Civic Center and will include obstacles and other humorous elements to add to the fun. This year's event is co-sponsored by FoTA, the Friends of The Arts group founded by PV Arts and Culture Commissioner Steve Parker. Bike Decorating Workshop May 27Royce and Juanita Hull Carlson, Prescott artists and organizers of the Art on Wheels event June 16 in Prescott are holding a bike decorating workshop Sunday May 27 from 12:00 to 5:00 PM at their Cosmic Steel shop at 240 W. Walker, on the corner of S. Granite. For more information on the event visit http://www.zenzibar.com/artonwheels.htm "Anyone interested in either the Art on Wheels event or the PVKSR in encouraged to attend and bring your bike or any wheeled device, wheelbarrow, shopping cart, baby buggy...and some unusual items to decorate it with," commented Jones. "We will have PVKSR sign-up sheets, sponsor packages, photos of previous entries, kit ordering information and a wealth of ideas," Jones said. First PVKSR Meeting June 4Anyone interested in participating, volunteering or sponsoring the PVKSR is invited to attend the official kick-off meeting Monday, June 4 from 4:30 to 6:00 PM in the 4th floor conference room of the Prescott Valley Civic Center. For more information on last year's event please visit http://www.pvksr.org. Please contact Cynthia Jones at cjcom@cableone.net or call 928-772-4710, or Steve Parker at 928-759-2111 or steveparker41@msn.com if you are interested in volunteering or participating.  | ||||||||
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