Leonardo's days return to Corvallis.

Byline: Mark Baker The Register-Guard

CORVALLIS - Leonardo would be proud. Wouldn't he?

Where else other then the annual three-day festival here that bears the 15th century Renaissance man's name could you drink a Full Sail Ale, eat Tillamook Ice Cream and ride an antlike machine through sand, surf and something sludgelike ?

Da Vinci Days - this city's yearly celebration of art, science and technology (three things Leonardo was pretty good at) - begins today and goes through Sunday.

This year marks the festival's 15th anniversary, and you can expect the familiar potpourri of film, paintings, street performances, music and food from around the world.

The festival kicks off today at noon with the community art project on Madison Avenue. This year's theme is "The Art of Nature." Look for sculptures made of natural materials, word-play art, interactive displays and interpretive art.

The home base for the show is at the Corvallis Arts Center, 700 S.W. Madison Ave.

In recent years, da Vinci Days has perhaps become best known for the Kinetic Sculpture Race, which runs all three days. Watch the wacky vehicles race through water, mud, sand and the streets. Teams come from all over the West Coast to show their human-powered, all-terrain vehicles.

You also can attend the da Vinci Film and Video Festival all three days at the Austin Auditorium at Oregon State University's La Sells Stewart Center. Check out a diverse selection of short films and videos from various genres beginning at 7 p.m. Friday.

From 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Saturday, this year's keynote speaker, Academy Award-winning motion picture sound editor Richard Hymns, will present "Life in Sound." Hymns has worked on such films as "Saving Private Ryan," "Fight Club," "Minority Report" and the upcoming "Catwoman."

The 55th annual Children's Parade is from 7 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. today, starting at the corner of 11th Street and Monroe Avenue. The parade, for children ages 2 to 12, includes floats, costumes, decorated bicycles and marching groups.

If "The Art of Nature" isn't enough for the art lover in you, there's also the "Meandering Mural," which starts at the Arts Center Plaza and wends toward Central Park. Paint will be available from volunteers at various stations.

And what's a festival without great food? The International Food Court is located on the lower OSU campus near the main entertainment stage.

Speaking of entertainment, you can catch Alexis at 7:30 p.m. and Laura Love at 9 p.m. today, and Bobby Torres at 7:30 p.m. and Spyro Gyra at 9 p.m. Saturday.

Magnifico!

FESTIVAL PREVIEW

Da Vinci Days

When: Today through Sunday

Where: Various Corvallis locations

How much: Daily admission $8 adults, $4 children; three-day passes $12 adults, $6 children

Details: Visit www .davinci-days.org

CAPTION(S):

After 25 years, the members of Spyro Gyra are still at it, making their own blend of jazz and pop. The band will perform Saturday night in Corvallis as part of the 15th annual da Vinci Days festivities. FESTIVAL PREVIEW Da Vinci Days When: Today through Sunday Where: Various Corvallis locations How much: Daily admission $8 adults, $4 children; three-day passes $12 adults, $6 children Details: Visit www .davinci-days.org