After a couple years missed due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Alameda’s Recreation and Park Department [1] held the 54th Annual Sand Castle & Sculpture contest this past Saturday, June 11. The free event took place all morning at Robert Crown Memorial State Beach and was judged at 1 p.m. It was a beautiful, clear and sunny day — a little warmer than expected — but otherwise a perfect day for being at the beach.
All contestants were required to only use natural materials found on the beach on the day of the contest. The criteria used for judging the contest included up to 30 points for originality of design, another 30 for originality in details, and up to 20 points each for neatness and technique. Contestants were judged in three categories: 12 and under, 13 and over, and Family.
In total, 220 people participated in this year’s contest, with 21 castle entries and 31 sculpture entries. The Gutierrez family won Sand Castle Best of Show, while Sandy & Fred took Best of Show for their Castle/Glass sand sculpture.
Sand Castle Ribbon Winners
12 & Under Category
- 1st Place: Jack
- 2nd Place: The Pickachew
- 3rd Place: Cub Scouts 1076
13 & Over Category
- 1st Place: Urban Gorrilas
- 2nd Place: The Model Group
- 3rd Place: Nimrod Army
Family Category
- 1st Place: Guiterrez Family
- 2nd Place: Dawson Family
- 3rd Place: Stella Bora
Sand Sculpture Ribbon Winners
12 & Under Category
- 1st Place: Florencia for Sea Turtle
- 2nd Place: Kimel Green for Starfish
- 3rd Place: Lana City for City/ Town
13 & Over Category
- 1st Place: Sandy & Fred for Castle/ Glass
- 2nd Place: Gage Pils for Ice Cream Sandae
- 3rd Place: USS Hornet for Automobile Hudson
Family Category
- 1st Place: Burgess Family for Giant Gnome
- 2nd Place: Castro Family for Octopus Sea Life
- 3rd Place: Fisher Family for Untitled
Here are some photos of winners and other entrants from the contest. All photos by Liz Barrett.
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[12]Contributing writer Liz Barrett writes about the community for the Alameda Post [13]. Contact her via [email protected] [14]. Her writing is collected at AlamedaPost.com/Liz-Barrett/ [15].