Kirby Derby v7
Posted in Cultural Event on 06/16/2009 05:59 pm by admin
Every year (for the last seven) Pullen Park Terrace in Raleigh NC has hosted the most outrageous, totally awesome block party: Kirby Derby. It is my favorite event in Raleigh. It boasts a parade, races and drunken behavior in an explosion of color and energy that is simultaneously beautiful and frightening. It is sublime. The neighborhood maintains a singular cohesion because its One Block Big. The cottages that populate the two streets house a community of creativity both broad and deep. Our small party was hosted by the charming, dandy Scot Dunlap, an old roommate from school. He was lucky enough to buy the cottage (out from under me and seven other eager bidders) on the lowest terrace of this hillside cantilevered over Western Boulevard. I would like to offer my thanks to him for having us over and continuing to be a good friend.
In the past I have endured this amazing hot June event eight months pregnant and stone cold sober but this year it was with my mom, three year old son, husband and a Bunch-O-Beer. The events start mid-afternoon for the kids. The block is thrown open and the loop street of Kirby closed to cars. Kids have squirt gun fights involving full blown garden hoses, innocent bystanders and zip-lines. There are treats and socializing on the street until the parade starts. This year’s theme was All things 80’s: I pity the fool.
Donkey Kong and the Mario Brothers, the Ghost Busters and the General Lee, ET, Pac Man, Space Invaders, a giant Atari Joystick, the Robert Palmer Girls, painted trucks, a bunch of Jungle Fever dancers, derby racers and 99 Red Balloons were all in the parade.
In years past the parade has been the culmination of the event. But recently the gusto of the races has been fantastic. A “drag” race marks the beginning of the adult racing. Men dressed in dresses and heels run to win — this year to ‘Chariots of Fire’ by Vangelis.
The main race Kirby Derby is loosely modeled on a soap box derby. Contestants fabricate their vehicles to be push started at the top of the Kirby hill and rely on gravity (that beautiful god) to do the rest. There is a wonderful 90 degree bend in the road and the racers have to be able to maneuver this turn — often at high speeds and in front of large crowds. The rules encourage brakes and steering, but sometimes it’s hard to tell.
This year the crowd at the bend in the road burst into spontaneous “taste great vs. less filling” and 80’s anthems in between heats. It was beautiful.
Magnum PI lost a wheel and was ‘T-boned’ by the four seater he was racing. The crowd picked up his rig and pushed it across the finish line.
The winner sported a madras plaid sport coat and a skinny tie.
After the racing we sauntered back to Scot’s for grilled veggies and chicken. Yum. I love grilled pineapple. There is a lovely after party but I have only made it once and only about ten minutes. I hear wonderful stories and sometimes wish I wasn’t such a lightweight.