U.S. Open Sandcastle Competition

The 30th annual U.S. Open Sandcastle Competition contest at the Imperial Beach Pier is to casual sand-castle building what the Tour de France is to a tricycle rally.  Professional sandsculptures, amateur artists and thousands of spectators will take to the sands  on August 8 for the U.S. Open Sandcastle Competition.  Last year 31 teams competed for the prize money.  The winner was team Archisand with its tribute to the late Michael Jackson.   Sandcastle building begins at 9:00am and concludes at 2:00pm.  Sculptures are only available for viewing until 4:00pm due to the tides.

Festivities begin on Friday, August 6 with a 21 year old and over party at the Imperial Beach Boys and Girls Club with music and great company.  On Saturday, August 7, the streets close down for the over 130 vendors with food, music and crafts.  The Kids-N-Kastles Competition is held on Saturday afternoon.

On Sunday, August 8, trained representatives for the U.S. Open Sandcastle Competition will judge all categories. The weekend festivities conclude when the teams are presented with titles and cash prizes presented at the Awards ceremony.  The U.S. Open Sandcastle Competition is a nonprofit event with a portion of the proceeds benefitting the Boys & Girls Club of Imperial Beach.

Catch the works of art while you can – soon, they’ll be gone with the tide.

Imperial Beach Pier, 2 Elder Ave, Imperial Beach (map)

Photo courtesy of Brett Alan Photography.