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Sandcastle Fest on Oregon Coast Attracts Thousands

(Cannon Beach, Oregon) – Ornate and intricate sculptures made of sand will be the center of celebration in Cannon Beach, with the 43rd Annual Sandcastle day Festival taking over the town on June 16. 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.

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.

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 – which includes an appearance by Mickey Mouse.

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.

The festival always makes for some especially memorable and elaborate creations, said chamber member Gary Terranova.

“Last year, 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.

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.

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