The sun and warmth brought the crowds out to watch the work in progress at the 13th annual Quality Foods Canadian Open Sand Sculpting Competition according to society president Cheryl Dill.
Close to 10,000 people were counted entering the exhibition site on Saturday and Sunday where some of the world’s best sand sculptors from Canada, U.S., Mexico, Spain and Australia had just 24 hours to sculpt sand and water into creative designs.
The winners shared $32,000 in prizes and a shot at the world championships next year in Fort Myers Beach, Florida.
The new community sand sculpting event in the adjacent sand pit was also teaming with families learning the craft from two professional sculptors and Coastal Community Credit Union volunteers.
Dill said it the first ever community build was enough of a success that “based on this success plans are already underway for more visitor and community involvement for 2013.”
While the competition wrapped up Sunday afternoon, the sculptures will remain up for exhibition until August 19, open from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily with live entertainment and many other activities at the site and throughout Community Park.
Check parksvillebeachfest.ca for more information.
- Auren Ruvinsky and Lissa Alexander
Solo Artist Results:
1st Place: David Ducharme, Winlaw, B.C.; “Learning Curve”
2nd Place: Fred Dobbs, Victoria, B.C.; “Bear with Me”
3rd Place (first ever tie):
Karen Fralich, Burlington, Ontario; “Poultry in Motion”
Delayne Corbett, Vancouver, B.C.; “Eternal Dance”
Jeff Strong, Tacoma, Washington; “My Cup of Tea”
Team Results
1st Place: Sand Boxers, Victoria, B.C.; “Knight Light”
2nd Place: Orbital Sanders, Seattle Washington; “Backyard Battle”
3rd Place: Cutting Edge, Parksville B.C.; “That’s All Folks”
Competitor’s Choice Awards (peer selection):
Soloist: David Ducharme, Winlaw, B.C.; “Learning Curve”
Team: Sand Boxers, Victoria, B.C.; “Knight Light”