Photos: Grits Fly at Kinetic Derby

Photos and words by Sean Rayford

“Hopefully, I'm the first one ever to ride down Meeting St. in a kayak.,” said Hunter Pinson yesterday afternoon in West Columbia, “That was an interesting experience there. And nothing like plowing through the big ole pile of grits there - flying all up in your face.”

Indeed, there were more grits flying this year at the second annual West Columbia Kinetic Derby Day. With strategic placement of the speed reduction mechanism, evident on the first run when car #17 blasted through the golden heaps of mashed corn and scattered photographers and fans behind the finish line - and improved logistics on the derby vehicle return, the event moved along at a much improved and entertaining pace.

Wearing Godzilla style slippers and pulling a red monster themed cart with his son in tow, equipped with snacks, Columbia artist Sean McGuinness is excited about the event. "We got bikes, we got barrels, we got boats, full on floats and I think this is something that can really grow and bring a lot to meeting and State Streets. Look at all these eclectic styles,” the NeoMonster artist told me at the start of the parade. “Art speaks to the soul. Look at this, you've got Heidi (courtesy of the Mathis family). I'm having flashbacks from when I actually saw Heidi at Dutch Square Cinemas as a kid during a Saturday matinee.”

“That big dragon over there, I don't even see how that thing is going to move, but that is so far the biggest float. I like the Amelia Earhart one that's over there, the double wheel barrow,” McGuiness continued, “Then this one is made from bicycle parts and wheel shop parts. So, you're getting into a recycling vibe too, so you can say, hey let's not trash this, lets rebuild it and keep it from going into a landfill.”

About the author: Sean Rayford is a South Carolina photographer with specialties in photojournalism and commercial photography with a documentary feel. He is a 2001 graduate of the University of South Carolina.