Continued from Page 8
“It’s so exciting to have people back on
the beach,” Nelson said. She explained that
after a two year gap of being unable to have
on-site competition during the pandemic, the
popular contest once again is back in town.
Set to take place over the course of this
weekend, the contest invites competitors to
vie for prizes in categories ranging from the
littlest Sand Fleas to Masters. Contestants
and visitors can gear up before the big Sat-
urday afternoon competition starting Friday
evening with a bonfire, music and s’mores.
Sandcastle building commences Saturday
at 2 p.m. with final judging at 7 p.m. To
wind down the weekend on Sunday there’s a
Singing Sands 5K Fun Run and Walk.
“This will be the 58th year of the event
and I was at the first one,” Nelson said,
recalling her childhood in Cannon Beach.
She may have been only 4 years old at the
competition’s 1964 debut, but remembers
the excitement.
That first sandcastle contest began as
an activity to entertain families isolated by
a tsunami that washed out the Elk Creek
Bridge, just north of town. Once the bridge
was restored and the town recovered, the
idea took hold that building sandcastles
might not only entertain locals but attract
visitors. Soon, that vision took hold and
the annual Cannon Beach Sandcastle Con-
test emerged as one of the largest sandcastle
contests on the West Coast. Its longevity, of
over 50 years, has been recognized by Ore-
gon Parks & Recreation as an Oregon Heri-
tage Tradition.
“We had to pivot big time in 2020 and
2021 to keep our sandcastle competition
continuous,” Nelson said. “We managed to
engage people online in summerlong virtual
events for people to build a sandcastle, take
a picture, and post it.” Participants joined in
from all over the world, keeping the level
of enthusiasm and camaraderie high, but it
just wasn’t the same. Now, Nelson is excited
to bring locals and visitors back together in
person.
“I just love having so many people here
digging and playing in the sand for our con-
test,” Nelson said. “You don’t have to be
artistic or have special skills. You can be
young or old. Anyone can build a sandcastle.
And seeing what creations people come up
with is amazing.”
Contest divisions stretch across age and
skill levels, including both individuals and
groups include: Sand Fleas, Juniors, Teens,
Small Group, Large Group, and Masters.
Each team is given a plot of sand within
a designated area. No specific theme is
required, but only natural materials found
on the beach such as sticks, shells, rocks and
seaweed may be used for ornamentation.
The weekend attracts tens of thousands
Cannon Beach Sandcastle
Contest
Friday, Saturday and Sunday in Cannon
Beach. Participants must register to be
part of the competition by Friday.
There is a $5 fee for parking on the beach
on Saturday. Cars must leave the beach by
7:30 p.m.
www.cannonbeach.org
Cannon Beach History Center & Museum
Beachgoers gather for a photo during one of the first sandcastle contests in Cannon Beach.
Cannon Beach History Center & Museum
A turtle, sculpted on Cannon Beach in 1986.
Cannon Beach History
Center & Museum
Sand creations at a previous Cannon Beach
Sandcastle Contest.
of visitors. “It’s a party on the beach for
30,000,” Nelson added, laughing. “I lov-
ingly say that. It is a big party, though, all
happening in one day between high and low
tides. And it’s the only day of the year that
people are allowed to park on the beach.
It’s basically the kickoff to the summer here
in Cannon Beach. I can’t wait to welcome
everyone back on the beach.”
ABOVE: Visitors line the
shores of Cannon Beach
during a late 1970s
sandcastle contest.
LEFT: A sandcastle
stands tall on
Cannon Beach, with
Haystack Rock in the
background.
THURSDAY, JUNE 9, 2022 // 9