Hogwarts Express Takes Off in Kinetic Sculpture Race

The Hogwarts Express, created by five Severna Park families, took off through the streets and waters of Baltimore on Saturday for the American Visionary Art Museum's kinetic sculpture race.

The annual event is a 15-mile race through Baltimore in which participants must construct an imaginative, totally human-powered work of art, designed to travel on land, though mud and over deep harbor waters.

Five Severna Park families, featuring 12 kids age 8-14 entered their Hogwarts Express in Saturday’s race and competed mostly against adults. Jennifer Haber, whose son was one of the drivers of the Hogwarts Express, said despite a few bumps overall the race went very well.

The Hogwarts Express got off to an excellent start on race day,” Haber said. “We hit a few minor bumps along the way but made it to the water leg of the race in excellent time. The whole team was dressed in their Harry Potter gear and some of our cheering section even accompanied us for the entire race, others arrived along the way to breathe more enthusiasm into the racers.”

Kids from Folger McKinsey, Indian Creek Severna Park Middle and high school all participated in building Hogwarts Express. Each were dressed like Harry Potter characters for Saturday’s race.

Before the race, Severna Park Middle School student and one of the drivers, Sheanan Warner, 13, said he was concerned about the water portion of the contest and right turns—since the Hogwarts Express experienced some trouble with those two obstacles during practice drives.

“When we got to the water portion, we did great,” Haber said. “The vehicle floated and we moved in and out of the water with ease, well mostly. Once we arrived at the Patterson Park part of the journey, we were waylaid by the sand pit that bent our wheel beyond repair. Thanks to the most incredible pit crew who spent an hour replacing axles and a full wheel, we were up and running again.”

The Hogwarts Express finished in the race in the middle, but Haber said what was more impressive than the finish was the teamwork the kids showed.

“We placed in the middle of the pack but much more importantly, we worked together as a team and learned valuable lessons along the way,” Haber said. “We were thrilled to finish and be a part of such an incredible experience.”

To read more on the Hogwarts Express and how it was created, click here.

The following kids participated in the project:

• Abby Reed, 8, Folger McKinsey
• Rachel Reed, 11, Folger McKinsey
• Will Reed, 12, Severna Park Middle
• Kyle Reed, 14, Severna Park High
• Madeline Viteri, 11, Severna Park Middle
• Lucy Fasick, 8, Folger McKinsey
• Kaylin LaFleche, 11 Folger McKinsey
• Joseph LaFleche, 13, Severna Park Middle
• Saejal Warner, 12, Severna Park Middle
• Sheanan Warner, 13, Severna Park Middle
• Lauren Carlson, 11, Severna Park Middle
• Haber Carlson, 13,  Indian Creek School