WILLITS >> Mendocino County Museum”s third annual Willits Kinetic Carnivale gathers a full head of steam on Aug. 9 and 10 with a weekend of activities.
The carnival will be held from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Aug. 9 and from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Aug. 10 at Recreation Grove Park.
The kinetic and steampunk festival features handcar races at the Skunk Train Depot, the Whimsy Circus, where children can swing on a giant bed and enjoy jugglers, games, crafts and performances and the evening spectacular, the Grand Ball.
The Carnivale will also feature daily entertainment from bands, including the Redbud Trio, Funkacillin, the Wild Mendohoulas and Portland punk and folk band Insomniac Folklore. Rides in specialized vehicles will be offered, historical workshops and lectures will be given and museum exhibits featuring antique machines will be on display.
New this year are a steampunk art show and a crowd-judged contest for steampunk guilds, with each guild presiding over a decorated booth space and interacting with the crowd according to their personas.
At 7 p.m. on Aug. 9, the Kinetic Carnivale Grand Ball will kick off. The lineup includes the big band style of Lee Presson, The Nails, the Church Marching Band and electro-swing DJ music from Stride Ironbender. Performance art will be provided by the Luminesque Fire Troupe, Periko Circus Express and Troupe Satya.
A new addition to the grand ball festivities will be the Corliss Society VIP Lounge, a furnished area where VIP guests will be treated to hors d”oeuvres, complimentary beer and wine, vaudeville entertainment and mystical games and oracles. Entry into the VIP Corliss Society is $100, which includes grand ball admission.
The carnival will conclude Aug. 10 with the handcar awards presentation and closing musical performance by The Crux.
Visitors are encouraged to attend in vintage or steampunk costumes.
Admission is $10 per day for adults, $5 for people 13 to 18 years old and people 65 and older or younger than 13 will be admitted free-of-charge. Admission includes entry to the museum, the carnival and handcar races.
Advance tickets for the grand ball cost $35 per ticket and $60 for a pair of tickets for adults. Tickets purchased at the door cost $40 for the grand ball. Tickets for people 13 to 18 years old cost $20 in advance and $35 at the door.
All event proceeds help fund Mendocino County Museum exhibits, as well as artifact conservation and educational programs. For information, visit www.kineticcarnivale.com or www.facebook.com/kineticcarnivale or email info@kineticcarnivale.com.
The Kinetic Carnivale is produced by the Mendocino County Museum.
Recreation Grove Park is located at 400 E. Commercial St. in Willits.
