When you think of Southern California, there is very little doubt the visuals that come to mind: sun, beaches, the Pacific Ocean. And when you think about Imperial Beach, this is no different. The southwestern most city in the United States, Imperial Beach has been home to one of the longest running sandcastle competitions in the United States. In fact, Imperial Beach claims to be the birthplace of sandcastle building. It would make complete sense that it’s home to one of the biggest and most celebrated sandcastle competitions, the Sun & Sea Festival!
Originally called the US Open Sandcastle Competition, the name was recently changed to the Sun & Sea Festival in honor of a local festival that was in the area when the city of Imperial Beach was founded. Each July, the city of roughly 27,000 people swells to over 100,000 thanks to the influx of visitors and spectators looking to catch a glimpse of sandcastle greatness.
The Sun & Sea Festival is an event that is for people of all ages and abilities. You can be a newbie to sandcastle building and still compete. You needn’t worry about having to compete with a master sandcastle builder, competitors are divided up among skill levels and even kids get their own division! After the competition is over and the sandcastles are ready to be destroyed, kids are allowed to run through the castles and sand art like Godzilla through a metropolis!
ResortsandLodges.com recently spoke with Shirley Nakawatase, the co-chair of the Sun & Sea Festival!
RAL: Tell me a little bit about the event, how long has the event been running?
SN: This is the second generation of the festival. Imperial beach is home to sandcastle building and annually would host the US Open Sandcastle Competition. 3 years ago the name changed name to Sun and Sea Festival. It’s a nod to Imperial Beach’s history. When the city was founded there was a Sun & Sea Festival so this is our way to honor our roots!
RAL: How many annual participants do you draw?
SN: This is a big event for Imperial Beach. We draw about 70,000 people as spectators which is great for our community. Even the sandcastle builders come in a wide variety. We have competitions for master sandcastle builders, kids, and amateur builders as well. After the competition is over, the kids are allowed to jump and destroy the castles.
RAL: What is the typical demographic makeup of the event?
SN: While we draw so many different types of people, we are a family friendly event at the core. The event is entirely dry. We don’t have a beer garden. But we do draw a diverse crowd of sandcastle builders!
RAL: What makes this event unique?
SN: We have kids competing and professional sand carvers. The contestants really do run the the gamut of talent levels. But at the end of the day, it’s all about the sand castles.
RAL: Take me through a day at the event...what can I expect as an attendee?
SN: We have a lot of activities that are kid friendly, including a Kids Zone. We truly try and focus on kids. It’s all about a great family day outside at the beach. Every year, we’re trying to expand the footprint of the event. The entire event stretches Seacoast Drive from Portwood Pier Plaza to Old Palm Ave.
Our vendors are artisans, offering food that isn’t commonly seen at street markets or fairs. I want to thank the Port of San Diego and the county of San Diego and the city of Imperial Beach for their ongoing sponsorship over the years.
RAL: What can an attendee expect to find for local lodging? Our travelers are a segment of the market that seek out unique, mom & pop accommodations...is this what they will find when they come to your event?
SN: We have a new resort in the area called the Pier South Resort which opened within the last three or four years. There are also plenty of small mom and pop travel lodges and bed and breakfasts.
RAL: What does this event mean to the community? Does the even support a special cause within the community?
SN: Well, this is our biggest event of the year in Imperial Beach. The Optimist Club runs the Kids N’ Kastles. All donations from the sandcastle ball go to the boys and girls club, funding programs for kids.
RAL: Why should people come to your event?
SN: It is a wonderful day at the beach. If kids want to participate, they can just sign up. They can build sandcastles and participate. Heck, you can get your family together to form a sandcastle team! Healthy and happy fun. Plain and simple!
You can learn more by visiting the festival's website here.