Kinetics, Boulder County's fabled oddball, amphibious contraption race, hit the water at Longmont's Union Reservoir on Saturday after two landlocked years at Boulder's Twenty Ninth Street mall and the Millennium Harvest House.

The race, celebrating its 30th anniversary in Boulder County, was far more low-key than in past years, when the KBCO-sponsored event would draw as many as 45,0000 onlookers to Boulder Reservoir. Organizers estimated that this year's Kinetics drew about 600 people.

The family-friendly, alcohol-free event was more of a return to the grassroots beginnings of the race, according to Karen Charles, event liaison for the city of Longmont, which sponsored the race.

"We used to (attend) back at the Rez in Boulder, but we were very excited to see if maybe it was going to have a second life here in Longmont," said 43-year-old Ed Goebel, who watched the race with his wife and two daughters Saturday. "I think it's great. It seems to be way more about the race this year."

Sandy Sorensen, a member of the 10-person Kinetics committee that worked out the move to Longmont, coordinated Saturday's race.

"We met with (Longmont officials) and they really greeted us with open arms and said 'Let's do Kinetics at Union Res,'" Sorensen said. "We're really hoping this goes well because we'd like to be invited back."

Thirteen teams participated Saturday, ranging from 25-year veterans "Who are Those Clowns" to first-year participants -- and the only team from outside of Colorado -- the New Mexico "Slow Riders."

Scott Tompkinson, "Who are Those Clowns" team captain, said his team participates every year, regardless of location, for one reason, "Cause we like to cheat."

After a chuckle he added, "We love the party and all our friends who are fellow Kineticists and run different teams."

Teams were sure to bring the customary bribe for the Kinetics Grand Wizard. Bribes included a batch of fresh-baked cookies and a brown, paper bag with an untold sum of money inside.

Adding to the quirkiness and confusion of the round-about course that left racers and onlookers alike wondering who was in the lead and who was just plain lost was "Checkpoint Charlie."

Every team had to stop at the checkpoint, do a dance representing the spirit of their Kinetics "sculpture," and present a Kinetics toolbox. Amongst the materials required in the toolbox were a picture of Kinetics founder Hobart Brown, a tooth brush, a teddy bear and, of course, a lace doily "to prove that Kinetics is a classy event."

Racers traversed parts of Union Reservoir and its beaches with varying degrees of success Saturday. One sculpture, Dr. Diabolical's "Looks Heavy Lakester," never made it off the beach.

"Every machine built by an evil genius has to include a tragic flaw or we'd be taking over the world left and right," said Dr. Diabolical, also known as Scott Frey of Frederick.

Crowds were treated to live music from Colorado bands Thunk and Carry Me Ohio and were able to purchase food and drinks from vendors, including Longmont's Stone Table, which was offering gluten-free burritos Saturday.

"As vendors, we just want to support the local stuff, especially here in Longmont," said Mark Alexander, owner of Stone Table. "To have this here at Union is great for us. It's a great body of water, a great recreation area and perfect for Kinetics."