iMAGINE STEAM Festival

Welcome to the most exhilarating day in the beautiful City of West Columbia, SC – Kinetic Derby Day! This year, we're thrilled to bring you an even bigger and better event, complete with the exciting addition of the iMAGINE STEAM Festival on State Street. Kinetic Derby Day is an annual extravaganza that celebrates creativity, ingenuity, and the joy of engineering and design. It's a day where the streets come alive with soapbox cars and kinetic sculptures, all vying for glory as they navigate a thrilling obstacle course. Picture the whimsical and the wacky, the inventive and the outrageous, all coming together for a day of laughter, adventure, and unforgettable memories. But that's not all! This year, we're proud to partner with the iMAGINE STEAM Festival, a fantastic event designed to ignite the interest of PreK-12 students in Science, Technology, Arts, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEAM). This festival is a dynamic street fair that showcases hands-on learning exhibits provided by companies, schools, and nonprofits, all aimed at making STEAM subjects come alive for families. Imagine your kids exploring interactive exhibits, conducting fun experiments, and getting hands-on with the latest in STEAM education. It's a unique opportunity for families to engage with the worlds of science, technology, art, engineering, and math in a fun and exciting way. The iMAGINE STEAM Festival, combined with the exhilarating Kinetic Derby Day, transforms the heart of West Columbia into a hub of discovery and adventure. It's a day where innovation meets entertainment, and learning is as thrilling as it is educational. So, whether you're a soapbox racer, a science enthusiast, or a family looking for a day of fun, Kinetic Derby Day and the iMAGINE STEAM Festival have something for everyone. Join us for a day of wonder, exploration, and inspiration as we celebrate the spirit of creativity and learning in the heart of West Columbia!

On Saturday, April 20, 2024, prepare for the highly anticipated return of the fifth annual Kinetic Derby Day at Meeting Street and State Street. This year, we're introducing an exciting twist with the Cartoon Theme event. So, gear up in your favorite cartoon character outfits and register for the soapbox race, kinetic sculpture parade, or obstacle course! Kinetic Derby Day is dedicated to stimulating creative thinking, igniting competition, and ensuring family fun as teams unite to craft unique vehicles and awe-inspiring art installations. The day commences with the kinetic sculpture parade at 10:30 AM, followed by soapbox cars racing down the imposing Meeting Street hill, competing in adult and children divisions. After the traditional side-by-side soapbox race concludes at 1:00 PM, an exhilarating obstacle course takes over Meeting Street, delivering an intense soapbox racing experience. Prizes are up for grabs in various categories, including the best sculpture, the fastest car, and the most impressive soapbox car design. At the base of the hill, you'll discover talented chalk artists creating masterpieces for your enjoyment, alongside fun electric cars to experience. West Columbia's Interactive Art Park will also host the Meeting Street Artisan Market. Don't miss out on the colossal Giant Slide at the corner of Meeting Street and State Street, where you can also indulge in a food truck rally to satisfy your cravings. On State Street, we're excited to announce the second year of iMAGINE's partnership, offering a STEAM festival packed with captivating demonstrations and even more hands-on experiences. We are collaborating with the Boys and Girls Club and the Kids' Zone to engage our youngest attendees and provide a smaller soapbox racing experience. In addition to all the fantastic things we have going on, we'll have a train ride for you and your kids, transporting you from Meeting Street to State Street. The mission of Kinetic Derby Day is to inspire creative problem-solving, nurture community pride, and showcase our thriving community, open to economic growth and investment. We're here to spark imaginative thinking and cultivate problem-solving skills, turning ideas into reality.

Note: email is the City's preferred method of communication. PLEASE FILL OUT ALL INFORMATION BELOW  (review General Provisions and sign) Exhibiting STEAM: The purpose of the iMAGINE @ Kinetic Derby Day is to create a meaningful dynamic and educational experience for students. Exhibitors must have a pre-planned and well-organized activity. A description of your booth and your unique experience will help ensure the successful coordination of the festival. The iMAGINE team will review your submission and will notify you if there are changes needed to your planned activity/demonstration. Please note, the iMAGINE @ Kinetic Derby Day will accept exhibitors on a first-come, first-serve basis until the site is full. General Provisions - Applicable to All Participants  1. Vendors will be provided with a space that is 10’ x 10’.2. Each participant will keep his or her designated area clean and free of debris throughout the entire day.3. A final cleanup must be done at the end of the event. 4. Vendors are provided two chairs and one 8ft table. Vendors are responsible for any additional tables and chairs needed. 5. Electrical power is limited. The event’s on-site electrician is the final authority on all matters concerning our electrical system. 6. No sharing of electricity with other vendors. 7. All vendors that use flammable gas will have a fire extinguisher that meets the City of West Columbia's fire code and can not be within 20 ft of a tent. Please note your need for this space in the "special requirements" section above. 8. Sales are not permitted.9. Vendors/Exhibits must be open from 10:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Saturday, April 20, 2024. 10. All vehicles must be removed from State and Center Streets by 9:30 a.m. before the vendor area opens. 11. Vendors/Exhibits are required to submit the following paperwork no later than Monday, March 20, 2023.12. Vendors/Exhibits are required to provide a $1,000,000 Certificate of Liability Insurance (COI) naming the City of West Columbia and Clemson as additionally insured.  13. Vendors/Exhibits are required to sign a Waiver of Liability.14. Vendors/Exhibits are required to provide an IRS Letter of Tax Determination. (If applicable, not required for schools, or government entities.)15. Vendors/Exhibits are invoiced for applicable fees upon completion of registration. Payments can be made via credit card or made by mailing a check to the following: City of West Columbia,Attn: Kelli Ricard/Kinetic Derby Day 200 N 12th St,West Columbia, SC 29169. 16. Vendor/Exhibitor fees must be paid 30 days after the application is approved. 17. No refunds are provided for exhibitor no-shows or withdrawals.18. Review and complete this Vendor Application, and sign the Agreement and General Release below.19. By participating as a vendor you are giving us the right to take photos of your vendor displays and demonstrations. Agreement and General Release  I have read, understand, and agree to abide by the above-listed provisions and guidelines for this event. In addition, the applicant on its behalf and on the behalf of its individual participants, completely releases the KINETIC DERBY DAY, its committees, the City of West Columbia, and any and all civic organizations that are participating in this event, and associated events, from all claims and causes of action of any kind which it now has or may later have against the above-mentioned entities, their officers, agents, employees or volunteers in any way arising out of the applicant’s participation in the event. Furthermore, the applicant agrees to hold harmless from and indemnify these entities against all claims and causes of action of any kind arising from its participation in the event and will defend on behalf of these entities any suit brought against them jointly or individually arising out of the applicant’s participation in this event. Applicants shall acquire during the active period of their participation in the event and at their own expense such public and contingent liability insurance as will protect the applicant’s participation in the event.