Show us your stuff! Put on your artist’s beret, grab your shovel and bucket, and get over to Crown Memorial State Beach on Saturday, June 21, for Alameda’s 57th Annual Sand Castle and Sand Sculpture Contest. It’s free to enter and free to watch.
This is an extremely popular event, so get there by 9 a.m. to snag a good parking place in the main lot (enter at the intersection of Westline and Otis drives). Register to participate at the Bathhouse, from 9 to 11 a.m.
If you want to enjoy the event as a spectator, you’ll have plenty of company. Walk through or beside the Bathhouse to get to the beach. If you want to stake out a spot in the shade, get there early and bring your own beach chairs. There are light refreshments for sale, but feel free to bring your own lunch.
It’s really fun to see the sculptures in progress, so remember that they must be finished by noon, when the judging begins. Last year’s contest featured more than 400 participants, who created 32 amazing sand castles and 59 sand sculptures, using nothing but sand and other materials found on the beach. (See photos from 2024, 2023, and 2022.)
It’s a great way to start summer, so come early and enjoy the fun.
Schedule:
- Registration begins at 9 a.m. and closes at 11 a.m.
- The contest starts at 9 a.m. and ends at noon.
- Judging starts at noon and lasts until approximately 1 p.m.
- Structures must be completed by the noon deadline time or upon the arrival of the first judge.
- Awards ceremony starts at 1 p.m.
Sand castle and sculpture categories:
- Ages 12 and under.
- Ages 13 and older.
- Family.
Official contest rules:
- Sand Castles and Sculptures must consist of sand only with the exception of wood, rocks, shells, etc. found on the beach the day of the contest and used as decorations only. NO GLASS OR LIVE ANIMALS.
- No superstructures or permanent forms of any kind shall be incorporated in your structure.
- Sand forms (flower pots, milk cartons, buckets, etc.) may be used but only as forms.
- The use of shovels, hoes, and/or spatulas is permitted.
- The Castle or Sculpture must be confined within your allotted space.
- No collecting of live animals or egg cases from wet beach and mudflat areas.
Judging criteria:
- Design – 30 points (originality of subjects and design).
- Detail – 30 points (originality of shape, lines and space).
- Neatness – 20 points (sharp relief, balanced proportions overall).
- Technique – 20 points (use of forms, drop method, shaping of arches, etc.).
For more information, visit the Alameda Recreation and Parks Department (ARPD) Sand Castle and Sculpture Contest web page, call ARPD at 510-747-7529, or email [email protected].
