It's cool and unique events like The Baltimore Kinetic Sculpture Race that make Baltimore such a vibrant, fun city.

Taking place on Saturday, May 5 at the American Visionary Art Museum in Federal Hill, the 2012 Baltimore Kinetic Sculpture Race is a one-of-a-kind race that pits a handful of homemade, man-powered vehicles against each other in a race through the city.

Teams of 'kinetinauts' will steer these amphibious, human powered art vehicles custom built for this annual race in Baltimore.  This eight hour race traverses through 15 miles of Baltimore streets, sand, mud, and even the Chesapeake Bay.

The American Visionary Art Museum hosts the Kinetic Sculpture Race every year and maintains a constant kinetic sculpture exhibit that displays the race-winning kinetic sculpture every year.

Kinetic Sculpture Racing has its roots in Ferndale, California.  The idea was born back in 1969 when the artist Hobart Brown decided to transform his son's tricycle into a five-wheeled pentacycle that he entered in a race down the city's main street.  The idea evolved over the years and eventually evolved into a three-day, all terrain Kinetic Grand Championship in Humboldt County, California.

The race kicks off at 9:30 a.m. at the American Visionary Art Museum and is completely free to attend.  In the spirit of kinetic art, wacky costumes and fun spirits are encouraged for all in attendance.

Sound fun?  Mark it down on your calendar, then head out to the American Visionary Art Museum for one of Baltimore's most unique and fun events, the 2012 Kinetic Sculpture Race.