An official World Championship of Sand Sculpting qualifying event, the Quality Foods Sand Sculpting Competition and Exhibition in Parksville is a chance to see remarkable works of art made entirely from sand.

In 2017, a total of 130, 149 visitors came to check out this exciting event, which is organized by the Parksville Beach Festival Society. The 2018 Quality Foods Sand Sculpting Competition and Exhibition is taking place from July 13th to August 19th at Parksville’s Community Park. The theme of this year’s competition is “Wild Things ~ From Here To The Galapagos.”

The sculptural masterpieces that you’ll see at the Quality Foods Sand Sculpting Competition have all been created in under 30 hours by professional and master sand sculptors. Sculptors travel from all over the world to Parksville’s Community Park just to participate, as this is the only event in all of Canada of its kind. The first place winners in the competition’s solo and double divisions are guaranteed a spot in the World Championship of Sand Sculpting.

The five-week festival features not only these incredible sand sculptures but also a free concert every weekend hosted by Tim Hortons Summer Concerts in the Park, a sculpture light-up on August 10th and 11th, festival fireworks on August 11th, and a children’s sandcastle competition on August 12th. Plenty of other activities will be taking place at Community Park over the course of the competition and exhibition, so make sure you check them out when you come down to see the sculptures.

Entry to the festival is by a suggested donation of $3 per person, with a portion of the proceeds going to support several local non-profit organizations. Since 1999, Parksville Beach Festival Society has donated over half a million dollars to philanthropic groups and community projects. This has all been made possible by the visitors to the competition and exhibition.

Community Park could not provide a more perfect backdrop for the Quality Foods Sand Sculpting Competition and Exhibition. It offers an expansive view of the long, sandy beach, making for a great spot to spend a summer day. The exhibition takes place in a sand pit area, but organizers do their best to pack down the sand in order to make it wheelchair-accessible. They also recommend that anyone who would like to visit during a quieter and less crowded time try to come between 9 to 11 am and 6 to 9 pm on weekdays.

Whenever you do decide to visit, make sure you bring along your camera to capture the amazing sights and to snap some pictures of the delicate sand sculptures before they are gone forever. You can bring your own shovels and buckets and have a sand sculpture competition with your friends and family. Lions Adventure Park right next door also features a skateboard park, a kite flying area, a lacrosse box, ballparks, tennis courts, and a covered picnic area.

So, what are you waiting for? Come to Parksville’s Community Park to enjoy a day at the beach, marvel at the beautiful sand sculptures, and take part on one of the many other events happening there this summer. Don’t forget the sunscreen!