As the sand sculptures came down Monday, Quality Foods Canadian Open Sand Sculpting Competition and Exhibition organizers were happy to announce that 133,430 visitors had passed through the gates over the five-week event.
That was a 28 per cent increase over last year’s record attendance, Parksville Beach Festival Society President Cheryl Dill said.
“Once again, the warm, sunny weather, high quality of sculpting and state of the economy have all contributed to such tremendous results,” she said.
Additional events included ten free outdoor concerts, an artisan market and bingo alongside the beach.
Throughout the exhibition more than 125,000 people’s choice votes were cast, selecting the Netherlands’ Wilfred Stijger’s sculpture “Up” as the solo favourite under this year’s theme of Things with Wings. He won all three possible soloist awards along with first in the judged competition and competitors’ choice.
The people’s choice doubles award went to David Ducharme of Winlaw, B.C. and Dmitry Klimenko, from Russia, for their sculpture “Ghost in the Machine.” They also took second in the judged competition.
Visit www.parksvillebeachfest.ca for more information.
— Beachfest / NEWS staff