43rd Annual Kinetic Grand Championship

How beloved is the Kinetic Grand Championship? Last September, as part of our annual "Best of Humboldt" issue, the Journal asked its readers to sort through the many annual local gatherings they look forward to and pick one to reign as "Best Event." It really wasn't much of a contest. Overwhelmingly, Humboldtians checked the box for Kinetic Krazyness.

2011 marks the 43rd anniversary of Glorious Founder Hobart Brown's race against Glorious Challenger Jack Mays down Ferndale’s Main Street. The course has expanded, of course, now beginning in Arcata, ending in Ferndale and spanning three days, but the original spirit remains intact. As many a racer has declared over the years, it's all "For the Glory."

This year's race starts at noon on the Arcata Plaza on Saturday May 28 and ends on Ferndale's Main Street on Monday May 30. Info: www.kineticgrandchampionship.com.

-- Andrew Goff

Brew at the Zoo

If you've ever found yourself staring at something fuzzy and adorable at our zoo and thought to yourself, "You know, all this moment is really missing is a cold brewski," well then, May is your month, citizen.

On Saturday May 21, Eureka's Sequoia Park Zoo hosts its annual Brew at the Zoo fundraiser. Attendees will enjoy sudsy offerings from eight local breweries, pub grub, souvenir glasses and music from local R&B/soul band Blue Rhythm Revue. But please, as tempting as it may be, don't share your Great White with the Spider Monkeys. They're lightweights.

Tickets are $30/$25 for zoo members. 21+. Info: 442-5649 or www.sequoiaparkzoo.net.

-- AG

2nd Annual Humboldt Arts Festival

For some reason, Humboldt County tends to be a little "right-brained." Must be something in the water.

Luckily, Humboldtians have another great forum in which to express their artistic ambitions. For the second year in a row, the Humboldt Arts Project is again taking over several Arcata city blocks to stage the Humboldt Arts Festival on Saturday May 14 and Sunday May 15. Expect arts and crafts vendor booths, a large selection of local food and drink, and two packed days of music and dance performances.

But the main course is, of course, the art. In addition to the sculpture garden in the Ace Hardware parking lot, local artists' wares will be displayed at the Robert Goodman Wines tasting room, Ironside Gallery, The Scoop, Humboldt Brews and Jambalaya.

How great! Our art! Info: www.humboldtartsfestival.com.

-- AG