This coming long weekend will be memorable in Parksville as Beachfest organizes the return of the amateur sand sculpting competition after a 16 year absence.
While locals and visitors alike stream through the gates to see the world-class professional sand art of the Quality Foods Canadian Open Sand Sculpting Exhibition running until August 18, organizers are providing yet another opportunity for fun in the sun.
"Sculpting right on the beach with fresh air and water close by is ideal," said event manager Trish Smith. "We wanted to get back to our roots — this is how sand sculpting began in Parksville back in 1982."
People can compete in groups of two to six friends, families, co-workers, or even find new friends on the beach to work with that morning in the Big O Tires sponsored event complete with fun prizes and bragging rights — no experience required.
Though some supplies will be available on a first come first served basis, participants should bring their own tools such as shovels and containers for forming their creations. The amateur competition takes place on the actual beach at low tide, giving a very concrete deadline for completion and enjoyment of the temporal art before the sea returns the beach to its natural state.
Registration starts at 8:30 a.m. this Saturday, August 3 on the beach front and prizes will be awarded at 3 p.m. More details and advanced registration is available at
www.parksvillebeachfest.ca