Sandcastle Contest sums up the summer

Several hundred people spent a perfect day on the beach.
Photo by Sheri Ashelman, courtesy the Richmond Beach News.

By Jack Malek

The 2011 Sandcastle Contest on August 21, 2011 at Richmond Beach Saltwater Park had 23 official entries. An estimated 200–300 people turned out in perfect weather to either lend a hand with building a sandcastle or enjoy the efforts of the others. 

The Islanders Steel Band kept people moving.  Photo by Sheri Ashelman.

The event is part of Celebrate Shoreline and is co-sponsored by the Richmond Beach Community Association and the City of Shoreline. The Northwest Family Chiropractic and Massage sponsored the concessions.

Concessions at the ready.  Photo by Jerry Pickard.

With such a great turnout, plans are already afoot for next years’ event, with added categories, such as a People’s Choice Award, which will mean more awards and more fun for everyone.

Esteemed Judges:

• Rich Gustafson, ProShoreline
• Bob Pfeiffer, President of The Shoreline-Lake Forest Park Arts Council
• Evan Voltsis, Proprietor of Spiro’s Restaurant

WINNERS:

Photo by Bob Pfeiffer. Courtesy the Richmond Beach News

1st Place Overall: Lizard Sculpture, Iyad Owen-Elia and Marty Owen, Team Owen; gift certificate to Hill’s Restaurant

2nd Place Overall: Northwest Sandcastle, Keith, Jack and Ava Hamilton, Team Hamilton; gift certificate to Full Moon Thai Cuisine

Beware the Troll.  Photo by Sheri Ashelman. Courtesy Richmond Beach News.

3rd Place Overall: Troll Sculpture, Enzo, Luca, Karin and Ben Chickadel, Team Sandy Sand; gift certificate to the new Pizza Mia and to the Flying Dragon Chinese Cuisine

Honorable Mention, Family Category: Tied between two Sandcastles

• Team Bears, Yan, Kaela and Thai Saechao and Ai-Khue Nguyen, gift certificate to Spin Alley Bowling
• Team Forever, Takumi and Mikoto Kawano, Win Tongtawee, Pamela Chivapat and Alexander Volper; gift certificate to Spin Alley Bowling

Honorable Mention, Teen Category:

Happy Bear.  Photo by Jerry Pickard.

Happy Bear Sculpture with Seaweed Bowtie, Ellyn Rivers and Alex Colella, Team Felon and Beazus; gift certificate to Spin Alley Bowling

Honorable Mention, Kid Category:

Whale Sculpture, Theo and Lilly Steinmetz, Jack and Noah Bowerman and Zan Godfrey, The O’s; gift certificate to Spiro’s Pizza