Randi

Carnegie Mellon Spring Carnival – Buggy Race

Each spring, thousands of nerds arrive in Pittsburgh for Spring Carnival at Carnegie Mellon University.  Being one of those nerds (and an alumnae), the event has a special place in my heart.

Pittsburgh weather for the event is totally unpredictable.  This morning, it was sunny and 75F on campus, while right now it is cloudy with thunderstorms.  I hope to make it to Carnival Midway later tonight if it is open to see the Booths this year.

This morning I went to Sweepstakes, affectionately known as Buggy.  (I know you Pittsburgh natives are thinking of the word we use to identify a shopping cart — but)  A  “buggy” is a gravity powered small, aerodynamic vehicle with a real human inside.  Hard to believe when you see it, but here goes…..

A group of people watching the at Hill 2.  I was shocked by the high number of females!

Here is a buggy coming to the finish line at Hill 5.  The driver (usually a small female) is on her belly with her arms at the front of the cart.  The pusher (male or female depending on the race) is pushing the buggy to the finish line.

You can go to the race, or look at the next photo and feel like you were there. 

See those little arms?

This guy was awesome, pushing buggy while wearing a suit.  I also like the woman in the foreground wearing the “Yes, There really is a person inside” shirt. 

One of many “NO PARKING” signs that you’d see if you tried to park around Phipps/CMU during Saturday or Sunday mornings during the academic year. 

What a beautiful day! 

I'm Randi Voss, a professional wedding and portrait photographer based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. I specialize in photographing fun, happy weddings working throughout the wedding day as both a photojournalist and a portraiture artist. Have a look around my blog to see what I've been doing lately, both personally, and professionally, and get to know me better. View the Galleries to see some of my favorite photos. Leave a comment to let me know your thoughts. Sincerely, Randi

6 Comments

  • Mary

    OK, that is CRAZY looking! When you described it to me, I had no idea how small those contraptions are…wow, strange but fun looking!

  • Milla

    That is not what I was expecting at all! Wow… how interesting! I personally would not want to be stuck in that little thing. 🙂

  • Sarah

    That first buggy (orange and blue) is a Fringe buggy called Bantam! It’s the one I pushed in my race!

  • Gino Cosentino

    Randi, it’s been awhile. You took those great pics of my Dad at his shop – Joe Cosentino Custom Tailor. I went back to look at them & then glanced at these pics – Great shots of Spring Carnival. And then I found out you were an alumni – I am as well. Sweepstakes Chairman 1988. Thanks again. You do beautiful work.

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