The 75th Annual Great Sand Sculpture Contest, presented by SSA Terminals as part of the annual Charter Communications Long Beach Sea Festival, will take place from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, August 9 at the Granada Launch Ramp in Long Beach. The event will feature everything from top professional sand sculptors, corporate teams to local youth building their very first sandcastle.
Individuals or teams will be provided a marked 15-foot by 15-foot area. Sculptures will be judged on uniqueness of sculpture, difficulty of construction and display and concept. An awards ceremony with trophies and gift certificates will take place at 2 p.m., followed by public viewing until 4 p.m. The day will also include a kids zone, arts and crafts vendors, live music and food.
As part of the event, The Port of Long Beach is sponsoring a professional sand castle display and co-hosting sand-castle building clinics with St. Mary Medical Center.
Several world-class sand sculptors will be on hand making elaborate decorations. They include Larry Safady, Kali Bradford and Bill Rose, each of whom are past winners of the US Open Sand Sculpture Contest. Also in attendance will be Sand Sculptor Brent Terry, who was a medal winner in the 2003 World Championship, a world solo height record in 2006, and won the coveted Sculptors Choice award at the 2007 World Championships.
The contest is operated by Alfredo’s Beach Club in association with the Long Beach Junior Chamber.
For more information, including entry fees, advance registration and complete rules, call (562) 434-1542 or visit www.alfredosbeachclub.com.
