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Sandcastle Contest Fills North Oregon Coast with Thousands |
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Covering 180 miles of Oregon coast travel: Astoria, Seaside, Cannon Beach, Manzanita, Nehalem, Wheeler, Rockaway, Garibaldi, Tillamook, Oceanside, Pacific City, Lincoln City, Depoe Bay, Newport, Waldport, Yachats & Florence.
05/01/08
Secrets of the Season |
Sandcastle Contest Fills North Oregon Coast with Thousands
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| The winning entrant from the 2005 festival is still one of the most memorable |
(Cannon Beach, Oregon) – Ornate and intricate sculptures made of sand will be the center of celebration in Cannon Beach, with the 44th Annual Sandcastle day Festival taking over the town on June 7. The event cajoles amateurs, families, professionals and people of all ages to participate in this wildly imaginative festival, with hundreds of sculptures, figures, scenarios and creatures carved out of the sand near Haystack Rock..
Thousands hit the beach in the morning at low tide, to either sculpt these jaw-dropping masterpieces or to watch them being created. Participants compete in various categories, some by age or skill level and some by how members are in the group.
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In the more than 40 years since Sandcastle Day began, it has become an arena for some of the finest sand sculpting in the world and one the largest such events on the west coast. Each year approximately 1,000 participants and approximately 8000 spectators attend the event.
It all begins at 6:30 a.m. with registration and building at the large entrance just north of Haystack Rock (by the Wayfarer Restaurant). Cars are then allowed to enter the beach.
There will
be a wide array of contestants this year, ranging from the Professional
Master’s division to the Large Group Category. The Sand Fleas category
is for those who are the under 6 age group. Awards will be given in all
six divisions (Masters, Large Group, Small Group, Sand Teens, Sand Juniors,
& Sand Fleas). This year the awards will be presented at the Radio
Disney Tent.
Judging is ongoing throughout the event with staggered end times that correspond to the age groups. All cars must be off the beach by 12:15 p.m. due to high tide.
Masters begin at 7 a.m. Sand Fleas begin at 9 a.m. All others start building at 8 a.m.
Judging of sand fleas begins at 10 a.m. Judging of the masters category begins at 1:30 p.m. All others are judged 11:30 – 1 p.m.
Also participating
in the event include is the American Legion, which will be hosting a scholarship
fundraising breakfast from 7:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. at the Legion on Hemlock
Street, adjacent to the event ($7 adults $5 children). The Cannon Beach
Children’s Center will have a food court on the beach (breakfast
sandwiches, hot dogs, coffee and treats). Radio Disney will be live on
the beach.
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The Sandcastle Day Festival began in 1964, not long after a tsunami washed out the bridge between town and Highway 101. That scared off many tourists, and once the bridge was rebuilt, Cannon Beach held the first Sandcastle Day Festival to help get them to return to town.
The first one was a low-key event featuring mostly local sand sculptors, put together by Margaret Atherton and now-gallery owner Bill Steidel. It was designed specifically for kids and families, and one of several efforts to draw tourists back to town. It was usually planned around days with the lowest tides, and would happen in May, June or July.
Since then, it has grown to enormous proportions and become one of the pivotal events of summer on the Oregon coast. It still is based on lowest tides, scheduled around that occurrence in May, June or July – although it has generally happened in June in recent years.
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| Cannon Beach is one of the hotspots for tourism on the Oregon coast |
The festival always makes for some especially memorable and elaborate creations, said chamber member Gary Terranova.
“In 2006, the Master's team delivered another great performance with their themed ‘Heard it through the Grapevine,’ “ he said. “That was following 2005's extensive Smokey the Bear scene.
“There were a wide variety of clever ideas last year. Like ‘Quicksand:’ a scene of a man grabbing at a rope as he nearly disappears under the sand. Or “Couch Potato:” a scene of a potato sitting on a couch. And there was ‘Bi-Polar,’ with two depressed polar bears.
Chamber director Kim Bosse says traffic isn’t as much a problem these days, but finding lodging is. “They used to be booked up six months in advance, but that’s not so much a problem anymore,” Bosse said. “But most lodgings report being full a month or two weeks ahead of the event, so be sure to make your reservations early if you want to stay in town.”
Nearby towns like Manzanita, Nehalem and Seaside should be able to provide lodging the night before as well, Bosse said.
To register, or for general rules and regulations go to www.cannonbeach.org, or call (503) 436-2623 ext 3.
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Tradewinds Motel, Rockaway Beach. All rooms are immaculate and have TV’s, VCR’s and in-room phones w/ data ports. Oceanfronts have queen bed, a double hide-a-bed, kitchen, cozy firelog fireplace and private deck. Both types sleep up to four people. Others are appointed for a two-person romantic getaway, yet still perfect for those on a budget. Elaborate oceanfront Jacuzzi suite has two bedrooms, kitchen, double hide-a-bed, fireplace and private deck, sleeping as many as six. For family reunions or large gatherings such as weddings, some rooms can connect to create two-room and three-room suites. Some rooms pet friendly. 523 N. Pacific St., Rockaway Beach. (503) 355-2112 - 1-800-824-0938. www.tradewinds-motel.com |
 Inn
at Cannon Beach. Beautifully wooded natural setting at quiet south
end of Cannon Beach. Great during winter storms with a new book by
the fireplace – or when the sun is out for family fun and beach
strolling. Handsome beach cottage-style architecture. Lush flowering
gardens and naturalized courtyard pond. Warm, inviting guest rooms.
Continental buffet breakfast. Warm Cookies. Family and Pet Friendly.
Welcome gifts. Smoke-free. Complimentary Wireless Connectivity. Wine
and book signing events. 800-321-6304 or 503-436-9085. Hemlock At
Surfcrest, Cannon Beach, Oregon. www.atcannonbeach.com. |
The Ocean Lodge. There will not be another property built like this in Cannon Beach in our lifetimes. Rare, premiere ocean front location; handsome, dramatic architecture and tasteful, fun (nostalgic) beach interiors. Overlooks Haystack Rock. 100 percent smoke free. Imaginative special occasion packages. Massive wood burning lobby fireplace. Library w/ fireplace, stocked with impressive book collection. Pet and family friendly. Lavish continental buffet breakfast. In-room fireplaces, mini-kitchens. Jacuzzi tubs in select rooms. DVD players, complimentary movies. Morning paper. Warm cookies. 888-777-4047. 503-436-2241. 2864 Pacific Street. Cannon Beach, Oregon. www.theoceanlodge.com |
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A1 Beach Rentals, Lincoln City. Perfect for large family vacations all the way down to a getaway lodging for two - with over 25 vacation rental homes to choose from. A breathtaking collection of craftsman or traditional beachfront homes, or oceanview houses – from one to seven bedrooms. In various areas of Lincoln City and overlooking the beach, with some in Depoe Bay. All kinds of amenities are available, like hot tubs, decks, BBQ, rock fireplaces, beamed ceilings and more. Some are new, some are historic charmers. Lincoln City, Oregon. 1-(503)-232-5984. www.a1beachrentals.com. |
DIVE
INTO LUXURY, HISTORY AT THE TIDES THE TIDES BY THE SEA, Seaside. For over 80 years a favorite of Seaside visitors. 51 oceanfront condos, individually owned and decorated. Suites for couples, small apartments with fireplaces and kitchenettes, one or two bed family units with fireplaces, kitchens and dining rooms. Oceanview cottages sleep anywhere from two to eight, w/ two bedrooms, some with lofts, fireplaces and kitchens. Heated outdoor pool, enormous grounds w/ picnic tables - all at quiet southern end of Seaside. 2316 Beach Drive. 800-548-2846. www.thetidesbythesea.com. |
D Sands Condominium Motel, Lincoln City. Free, fresh baked cookie upon check-in is just the start. All rooms beachfront and up against Lincoln City's most famous stretch of beach: the D River. Each room comes as a suite or mini-suite, and has a kitchen and balcony or patio. Some w/ gas fireplaces, while all have a DVD Players; movies to rent come with free popcorn. Heated indoor pool, a spa, and this fabulous beach is lit at night. Rooms sleep from two, four to six - including a deluxe fireplace suite. Gift certificates orspecial occasion packages. www.dsandsmotel.com. 171 S.W. Highway 101. 800-527-3925. |
Arch
Cape Property Services.
Dozens of homes in that dreamy,
rugged stretch between Cannon Beach and Manzanita known as Arch
Cape. Oceanfront and ocean view , or just a short walk from the
sea. |
Lincoln City Vacation Homes Something for everyone: smaller homes with a view to a large house that sleeps 15. All are either oceanfront or just a few steps away – all with a low bank access and fantastic views. Most are in the Nelscott area; one is close to the casino. You’ll find a variety of goodies: fireplaces, multiple bedrooms, dishwashers, Jacuzzis, washer/dryers, hot tubs, cable TV, VCR, barbecues; there’s a loft in one, and another sprawling home has two apartments. Pets allowed in some homes – ask first. Each comes with complete kitchens. Most have seventh night free. Prices range from winter $85 to summer $230 per night. www.getaway2thecoast.com. 541-994-8778. |
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