It's Back! Sandcastle Competition Set For June 30

A sandcastle competition for adults and children will be held in Imperial Beach June 30, Jim Hutzelman of the Port of San Diego announced Monday.

This will be the first organized sandcastle event since the end of the U.S. Open Sandcastle Competition in 2011.

The event will have an emphasis on community involvement and double as a celebration of the Port of San Diego's 50th anniversary.

Hutzelman expects upwards of 20,000 people to attend, far less than the famous U.S. Open, which would bring in hundreds of thousands of people over two days.

"It's not going to be huge, but I think we'll get a sizable crowd," he said.

Attendees can expect a tumbling and circus act, kids' art show, family events, local vendors and more.

"The family attractions on Pier Plaza will be produced by Shari and Brian Mills of The Project Mills, the company that did the production work for the June 2012 IB KidsFest," Hutzelman said in an email.

"The adult and children's sand sculpting portions on the beach will be produced by Gordon Summer and Kent Trollen, in cooperation with Rico Toscano and the Imperial Beach Optimist Club, producer of past Kids 'N Kastles events.

The event was organized by a group of local volunteers who came forward after meetings held in March together with Summer and Trollen and the Port of San Diego.

Whether an adult sandcastle competition or exhibition will be held will be decided by organizers at a meeting later this week.

Click here to read more background on sandcastle competitions in Imperial Beach.

Check back soon for more details.