It was a glorious night at the 2015 Rutabaga Ball. The event, which was held at Redwood Raks in Arcata, was a mob scene, filling the venue to capacity before 8 p.m. Amy and I emceed and hundreds watched as the four ontestants competed in ball gown and Q & A, a water crossing (always a creative challenge indoors), and finally in the “talent” portion.

It was a very close competition, with the contestants giving their all. But when the all-Rutabaga Queen judging panel returned, Gloria Kiddnetica was selected to wear the crown. The other three contestants — Poison Candie, Hyperdrive, and Miss Discordia — are now Rutabaga Princesses and will be part of Kinetic Royalty throughout the World Championship Kinetic Sculpture Race next weekend.

This event was also the premier of public sale of this year’s Kinetic T-shirts, posters and, for the first time at the Rutabaga Ball, Kinetic Grand Championship pint glasses.

After the Queen was crowned, the crowd danced to the music of Doug Fir and the Two-By-Fours, who were lauded by the assembly for their excellence. The party went late into the evening/morning. Moments after her win, I grabbed a quick interview with Queen Gloria Kiddnetica backstage. It is posted below.

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