HOLYOKE — Participants of all ages are getting ready to build and race their creations on Oct. 19 at the Great Holyoke Brick Race and check out a wide range of cars at 413’s Finest Car Show at Paper City Studios.
“As far as I have found, there is nothing like this. We just want people to have fun and not take things too seriously,” explained Jeff Bianchine, president of Holyoke Art, the event organizer. “We want them to give themselves a challenge with no pressure in a world where it’s just too easy to just look at a screen instead of having to build something in real life. We want people to work with their family, friends and coworkers to create something original together. We want people to find the community of makers and artists that have taken root in downtown Holyoke.”
A brick race means designing and building a brick racecar, mounted on wheels and raced down an inclined track using only gravity to cross the finish line. The free race, on the aptly-named Race Street, offers prizes for the fastest cars finishing in first, second and third places, as well as prizes for the slowest, most creative and best crash. The race is limited to 50 participants, Racers can register and find the racecar specifications at thegreatholyokebrickrace.com.
“[Slowest] was added this year to be more inclusive,” noted Bianchine. “Not all the cars are playing for speed, but the ones that do are down the track in under four seconds. In fact, the race is more about the art and engineering, so here is another challenge- can you make a car that still crosses the finish line, but takes its time doing it?”
The race began in 2011, started by Bruce Fowler and Dean Nimmer, Bianchine first became involved in 2013 while working for the city office of planning and economic development. After he left the position, and with a strong drive to support and grow the unique event, Bianchine helped found Holyoke Art which supports the race and many other cultural events and arts spaces in Holyoke.
“I’ve been organizing citywide events for over a decade and Alberto Rodriguez and 413’s Finest Car Club has been a great partner in bringing in thousands of visitors to the city with his car meets and shows,” said Bianchine. “Last year, we were able to finally coordinate to hold one alongside the Brick Race and Pioneer Valley Maker Faire as part of Holyoke’s 150th anniversary celebration. And we hope we can make it a tradition that sticks moving forward. It’s bringing different communities that share common interests together and utilizing the beautiful infrastructure that has been built out along the canals for everyone to enjoy.”
413’s Finest Car Show will display classic cars, hot rods and classic cars from across the western Massachusetts region. Food vendors will include Wake the Dead Donuts and Tempest Creations, along with some others and a face painter provided by our friends at Clowntique, celebrating its 25th birthday.
The race itself runs from noon to 3 p.m. while the car show lasts from noon to 5 p.m. next to each other on Race Street.
