The Idiotarod is back next Saturday, but this time it's promising "idiocy with a purpose." While sources tell us last year's race failed to live up to the usual paper-mached magic, Idiotarod 2013 organizers emailed us to announce this year's race will be run by the Federal Emergency Racing Agency (FERA) (in association with the Department of Homeland Absurdity, of course) and will be teaming up with a Brooklyn arts venue for a post-race party to help it get back on its feet after Hurricane Sandy.
So when young New Yorkers come together to race creatively decorated shopping carts ranging from the absurd to the artistic, it won't just be for the pure joy of making a speedy chair monster out of some blue crepe, though that's certainly a worthy cause on its own. After the race, the organizers will be throwing a collision course afterparty at the Gowanus Ballroom next Saturday night that'll double as a Sandy-relief effort for the space, which was badly damaged in the storm. The party costs $10 before 8 p.m., $20 after, and it's free with an Idiotarod bracelet, so start brainstorming some shopping cart-sized turbo-thrusters while you can.
