More than 10,000 people viewed the sculptors work in less than two days at Community Park and in the end, a familiar face took home the top prize.
For the fifth time in the six years he has participated in the Quality Foods Canadian Open Sand Sculpting Competition, Peter Vogelar of Winlaw, B.C. is the solo champion with his Frog Prince creation (all of the sandcastles are on display in the park until Aug. 18).
“I actually did put a bit of preparation in, trying some drawings, just little things that added together to make a good piece,” said Vogelar, a professional sand sculptor who earned a spot in the world championships with the victory on Sunday.
Also earning a spot at the worlds Sunday was the father/daughter team of Guy and Melineige Beauregard of Quebec for their Cute Power creation. When posing for photos with their winning sculpture, the fun-loving pair was asked which one of them was crazier. Guy pointed at his daughter.
“Well, the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree, now does it,” quipped Melineige.
Experienced judges who spoke with The NEWS said making decisions were more difficult this year than others. Event Manager Trish Smith said since it was the first time for doubles (as opposed to teams) “we wanted to bring in high-quality sculptors who were winning in other competitions. The calibre this year is very high.”
Jenelle Jakobsen of Regina was one of the thousands who viewed the work of the sculptors.
“I saw it years ago and I’m really impressed with how they are better and better,” said Jakobsen, whose personal favourite was a work by Spanish soloist Benjamin Probanza called H.C. Anderson.
Twenty Nine competitors had only 24 hours over three days to convert 345 tonnes of sand into sculptures based on the Fairy Tale theme. Parksville Beachfest Society awarded $43,000 to sculptors selected in the solo and doubles categories in prizes Sunday evening.
Solo Artist Results:
5th Place: Delayne Corbett, Vancouver; sculpture entitled: Sedna’s Fingers.
4th Place: Craig Mutch, Vancouver; Humpty Dumped Me.
3rd Place: Benjamin Probanza; Spain; H.C. Anderson.
2nd Place: Fred Dobbs, Victoria; Jack and The Beanstalk.
1st Place: Peter Vogelar, Winlaw, B.C.; The Frog Prince.
Doubles Results
3rd Place: Charlotte Kolff and Damon Langlois (husband and wife team), Victoria; Fallen.
2nd Place: Wilfred Stijger and Edith Wetering (husband and wife team) Holland; An Apple A Day.
1st Place: Melineige and Guy Beauregard (father and daughter team), Quebec; Cute Power.
Competitors Choice Awards: (Peer selection)
Soloist: Benjamin Probanza.
Doubles: Melineige and Guy Beauregard.
Sculptures will be on exhibit until August 18 at Parksville Community Park. Gates are open from 9 a.m.-9 p.m. daily. Entry is by suggested donation of $2.50. Visitors through the gate can vote for their favorite sculpture and those results will be awarded to competitors at the end of the competition. For more information see parksvillebeachfest.ca
Check out our Facebook page for dozens of sand castle photos: www.facebook.com/PQBNews