Annual St. Helens sand castle contest draws top talent to sculpt the shoreline [Video]

The shores of Sand Island in St. Helens, Oregon, comes alive with intricate sculptures and artistic fervor during the Sand Island Sand Castle Competition held every summer.

Unfortunately, sand sculpture enthusiasts will have to wait until 2025 for the next competition. This year’s event, originally scheduled for Aug. 3, was canceled due to “logistical challenges and a transition in event management services,” according to organizers.

Nevertheless, in its third year in 2023, the competition showcased the remarkable talents of 18 contestants who transformed ordinary sand into extraordinary works of art.

Two-person teams were randomly selected as collaborators for the entirety of the event. Among the contestants were seasoned veterans like Bill Rose, who boasted nearly three decades of experience, and newcomers like Hayden Wright, a professional wood carver trying his hand at sand for the first time.

“This will be the first sand sculpting I’ve ever done,” Wright shared.

Related: Building castles made of sand at the long-running Cannon …