The City of West Columbia’s award-winning Kinetic Derby Day featuring iMAGINE is this Saturday, April 26, from 11 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. on State and Meeting Streets, in West Columbia, South Carolina.

The event is FREE to attend! Below is everything an attendee needs to know to enjoy an action-packed day in the City of West Columbia’s River District. The Kinetic Sculpture Parade kicks off the day and will feature participants dressed to represent their favorite fantasy world (this year’s theme). State Street transforms into the iMAGINE STEAM Festival, with interactive booths for the kids. The soapbox racing on Meeting Street begins at 11:30 a.m. The day includes competition and fun for all ages as teams construct unique vehicles and art installations. More information can be found at www.kineticderbyday.com.  

When: Saturday, April 26, 2025, 11 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.

Where: State and Meeting Streets, West Columbia

What to Bring:

• Chair or Blanket
• Hat, Sunscreen, & Sunglasses
• Phone for Pictures
• Comfortable Shoes
• Cash & Cards
• A “Show Us Your Grit” Attitude!

Parking: (Map included below)

• FREE Public Parking Garage – 310 Court Avenue
• River District Baptist Church – 400 State Street
• The Warehouse – 312 State Street
• Carraway Park – 212 Hudson Street
• Capitol Square – 483 Sunset Boulevard

Watch the 2024 Video

What does the day include?

• Kinetic Sculpture Parade
• iMAGINE STEAM Festival
• Soapbox Racing
• The Kids’ Zone
• Giant Slide, Ferris Wheel, Food Truck Rally, & Chalk Artists
• Meeting Street Artisan Market
• Emerald’s Artistry Face Painting & Balloon Art
• 803 Candle Company
• Aurora Meadows Farm & Floristry
• Cindy’s Turn
• Craig’s Gumbo Churn
• DeeperThanSkin, LLC
• Dot and Sue Designs
• Fired Up Custom Leather Works
• Found & Altered
• Jennifer Sassani Art
• Neo Monster Island
• Nerd Bear Soap
• Palms To Palmettos
• Purr Page
• Symphony of Aromas 
• The Hope Chest

Road Closure Information (See Attached Map)

• Meeting Street from 9^th Street to Leaphart Street: 6:30 a.m. – 5:30 p.m.
• Meeting Street from Leaphart Street to Sunset Blvd: 6:30 a.m. – 7 p.m.
• State Street from Meeting Street to Spring Street: 5 a.m. – 7 p.m.
• State Street from Meeting Street to Sunset Blvd: 6:30 a.m. – 7 p.m.

Thank you to our Sponsors and Partners!

Sponsors

• South Carolina Department of Parks, Recreation, & Tourism – DiscoverSC
• House of Raeford – Start Line Sponsor
• TNT Martial Arts – Finish Line Sponsor
• Whetzel’s Automotive – Live Stream Display & Pit Crew Sponsor
• NAI Columbia – Cash Prize Sponsor
• Carolina Law Group – Chalk Art Sponsor
• CPL: Architecture, Engineering, Planning – iMAGINE STEAM on State Sponsor
• First Community Bank – Live Stream Display Sponsor
• Langley Pointe Apartments – Live Stream Display Sponsor

Partners

• ACE Hardware
• Graphics Source
• Professional Printers
• Something Borrowed
• 99.3 FM WXRY
• Boys & Girls Club of the Midlands
• Giles Brothers Insurance
• Brookland United Methodist Church
• D’s Wings
• Savage Craft Ale Works

​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 intends to inspire creative thinkers and help develop problem-solving skills to construct imagined ideas. 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, emphasizing 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].