On the night of July 18th, Adidas commemorated the release of their new sneaker, the Ultraboost 19 (the first 3D-knitted running shoe with a sock-like fit), with a completely interactive and participatory event. The jamboree allowed visitors to see Boost technology in action while also improving their own performance via a series of mental and physical challenges that included mazes and playgrounds. The celebration was a collaboration between Adidas and Finish Line. 

Studio Harley & Company conceived the adult playground attraction. A seesaw allowed guests to test out the strength of the shoe, while a maze that consisted of wood beams placed over a sea of yellow rubber balls tested the mental strength of the sneaker enthusiasts in attendance. A particularly inspiring feature of the playground was an area in which guests got to jump up and reach for hanging fortunes, symbolically representing them reaching their dreams. 

Each of the events was designed to show off a particular feature of the shoe, the real centerpiece of the event. “Running is constantly evolving, so we designed the re-boosted and re-energized Adidas Ultraboost 19 to empower runners all over the world to keep challenging and changing what running is and what it looks like,” said Sam Handy, a VP of Design at Adidas Running. “We created a shoe that provides more energy return than ever before so that all runners can run with power and confidence in whatever way their creativity takes them.”

The core aim of the event was similar: to empower guests to be more playful. The ideology behind the creation of the playground was to emphasize the importance of recreation and imagination in adult life. Looking at the smiling faces of guests as they left, it was clear Adidas met their goal.