Parksville's biggest summer event is just over two months away and the world renowned sand sculptors have been confirmed.
This year's Quality Foods Canadian Open Sand Sculpting Competition and Exhibition is dropping teams in favour of a doubles competition to match the world championships in Atlantic City, for which it is the only Canadian qualifier.
There will still be 15 — including many familiar — people competing for the solo title, but this year there will be six pairs competing for a chance to go to the worlds.
"I'm looking forward to meeting Arianne (van Rosmalen) and Marielle (Heessels), they're a fierce couple from the Netherlands," said event manager Trish Smith when asked who spectators can watch for.
"Also, Wilfred (Stijger) and Edith (van de Wetering), a married couple from Holland were first and second in the solo competition a couple years ago, so they'll be good," she said.
The pairs will be joined by perennial Parksville solo sculptors, father and daughter Mélineige and Guy Beauregard from Québec.
The field will be rounded out by Victoria's married team Charlotte Kolff and Damon Langlois, who is currently the world solo champion.
The winner of both the solo and pairs competitions will win a trip to Atlantic City and a guaranteed spot in the worlds and those in second may get a wild-card chance depending on how many spots are available.
All of last year's solo winners are also returning including first place and competitor's choice David Ducharme from Winlaw, B.C., second place Fred Dobbs from Victoria and the three who tied for third: Karen Fralich, Delayne Corbett and Jeff Strong.
Watch The NEWS for more on the upcoming event set for July 13 to August 18 on Parksville Beach. Check www.parksvillebeachfest.ca or e-mail info@parksvillebeachfest.ca for more information.
To see a list of confirmed sculptors, see www.pqbnews.com.