Amid this week’s rain the scorching days of Parksville’s Beachfest may seem remote, but organizers are already working on next year’s marquee event and looking for a few dedicated volunteers.
Last summer’s 13th annual Quality Foods Canadian Open Sand Sculpting Competition and Exhibition brought 15 individuals and three teams of sculptors from as far away as Mexico and Europe, along with nearly 100,000 visitors to town.
Society president Cheryl Dill said that while they get a huge crew of volunteers working during the event, it takes year-round planning from their dedicated board of directors.
The board meets once a month year round, plus a few extra times closer to the event and they divide areas of organization among themselves.
“We’re looking for a director of judging to coordinate the judges,” she said, pointing out they award $32,000 in prizes to some of the world’s best sand sculptors, so it is a high profile and important job.
They are also looking for directors to organize all the food services to feed the sculptors and someone to arrange their burgeoning souvenirs, both for sale and as mementos for those involved.
They currently have seven board members but would like to have 10 to 12. “The more input, the better,” Dill said, adding the more people there are the less work there is for each.
The public — especially potential volunteers — is invited to the organization’s annual general meeting Nov. 19 at 6 p.m. at the Quality Resort Bayside in Parksville.
To join the board or for more information e-mail info@parksvillebeachfest.ca, call 250-951-2678 or visit their site at www.parksvillebeachfest.ca.