The City of West Columbia is gearing up for Kinetic Derby Day featuring iMAGINE on April 20, from 10:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. It’s held on State and Meeting streets.

The Kinetic Sculpture Parade leads the way, followed by soapbox and obstacle course racing. State Street transforms into the iMAGINE STEAM Festival, fostering creativity. The day includes competition and fun for all ages as teams construct unique vehicles and art installations. Register for building, racing, sponsoring, volunteering, or vending at www.kineticderbyday.com.

“Kinetic Derby Day has become a tradition in a short period of time,” said Anna Huffman, City of West Columbia public relations director. “It’s an event full of good will, community spirit and smiling faces. Everyone associated with Kinetic Derby Day is looking forward to it.”

Last Saturday, Bobby Brady, a Kinetic Derby Day Committee member, conducted a soap box car building workshop at the Richland County Library. Tre Bray, a member of the Lexington Two School Board attended the workshop with his son and both came away excited about Kinetic Derby Day.

“The Kinetic Derby Car Building meeting was a revelation,” Bray said. “There were two cars on display and seeing those cars was a game-changer for our son, Abbott, who’s spearheading our family’s entry in the 10-13-year-old soapbox racing bracket. The meeting cleared away so many hurdles and gave him a concrete understanding of what’s involved.”

Bray said he is a participant, but his children are doing the hands-on work. “Abbott is at the helm for design, construction, and, of course, driving,” he said. “Abbott’s sister, Josie, is excited to help with the artistic flourishes. We love that it’s a true family event.”

Bray also encouraged potential participants to get involved, and learn as much as you can now, to be prepared for the Kinetic Derby Day festivities.

“Saturday was a learning bonanza,” Bray said. “Abbott, and other families, peppered the car-building team with questions, and we came away confident with newfound knowledge. There was a teacher there, too, asking questions, too.”

Below is more information about Kinetic Derby Day with links.

The iMAGINE STEAM Festival on State Street showcases interactive exhibits, emphasizing Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Math (STEAM) to engage Pre-K through 12th-grade students and families in STEAM subjects and careers. The Kids’ Zone, presented by the Boys and Girls Club, hosts exhibition soapbox racing for the little ones.

At the hill’s base, a food truck rally satisfies appetites, and West Columbia’s Interactive Art Park hosts the Meeting Street Artisan Market. The corner of Meeting and State Streets features a giant slide for added excitement. River District businesses are open for shopping and dining.

Mayor Tem Miles expresses his enthusiasm, stating, “Kinetic Derby Day is one of the most fun days of the whole year. Folks of all ages and abilities can participate in the parade and the races. Please come out and join in the fun.”

For more details, volunteering, team registration, sponsorship, or vending opportunities, visit www.kineticderbyday.com.

​About Kinetic Derby Day

The mission of Kinetic Derby Day is to inspire creative problem-solving, build community pride, and showcase our growing community welcoming economic investment. The event is intended to inspire creative thinkers and help develop problem-solving skills to construct the ideas imagined. For more information, visit www.kineticderbyday.com.

About iMAGINE

iMAGINE is a program of South Carolina’s Coalition for Mathematics & Science (SCCMS) at Clemson University. Its mission is to create meaningful experiences that promote a culture of lifelong learning and professional growth with an emphasis on science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics (STEAM), innovation, and entrepreneurial activity in South Carolina. For more information visit https://www.imaginesteamsc.org/ or contact Dallas Thomas at [email protected].