The 58th annual Cannon Beach Sandcastle Contest returned to an in-person contest Sunday after holding virtual competitions for the last two years during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Over a hundred beachgoers gathered on the shores of Cannon Beach to watch competitors dig holes, haul buckets filled with sea water, and pack sand into fantastical shapes and sculptures. The builders not only constructed castles, but also dragons, whales, ships and pugs, bringing their creations to life with sand.
Competitors have five hours to build the sculptures before they are washed away by the incoming tide. The winning team, the “Form Finders,” has been competing for 15 years and plans to return for next year’s competition.
During one of the wettest springs on record, the sun was shining at the Oregon Coast and beachgoers were able to view the sandcastle building without rain.
