Parksville Sandsculpting Competition 2017 #Mondayblogs #Canada150 - Jo-Ann Carson

Parksville Sandsculpting Competition 2017 #Mondayblogs #Canada150

2017 Theme – Canada 150

 29 sculptors from around the world 

July 14- August 20

 sponsored by local business – powered by volunteers


On Saturday we visited the 35th annual Canadian Open Sandsculpting Competition and Exhibition in Parksville on Vancouver Island.

1st Place Doubles – David Ducharme (Winlaw, BC) & Dmitry Klimenko (Russia) for “Canadian Mosaic”, photo by PJ

My Favourite – The Canadian Mosaic

Neil Young (right), Buffy St Marie (center) David Suzuki and Terry Fox on the other sides.

photo by Jo-Ann Carson

photo by Jo-Ann Carson

photo by Jo-Ann Carson

5 Fun Facts

  • the artists don’t use beach sand because it’s got too many pebbles and shells in it.
  • solo competitors get 10 yards of sand on a 12 by 15 foot plot, doubles get 15 yards for a 20 by 20 foot plot
  • they compress the sand in wooden forms and when the sculpture is complete they spray it with a 20 to 80 mixture of wood glue and water
  • they have 30 hours to complete their sculptures
  • local sponsors pay for the competitors travel, meals and accommodation. They also receive $1,000. In addition, winners receive cash prizes (top 3 doubles and top 5 soloists all get awards. Top double gets $5,000. and top solo gets $2,500).

Hey Jacques – photo by PJ

The Cup – photo by PJ

The Last Spike – by Peter Vogelaar; Winlaw, B.C. #3 Solo, photo by PJ

Oh Canada, we stand on guard for Tree by Jacinthe Trudel and Jonathan Bouchard, Quebec, #2 doubles, Photo by PJ

Canadance du Soleil by Guy Beauregard, Asbestos, QC, #4 solo, photo by PJ

by , #2 in Solo Competition, Wilfred Stijger, Netherlands, Photo by PJ

I hope this gives you a taste of how amazing the sculptures are. There were many more than are shown here.


Cost – by donation (suggested $3./person)

Value – beyond words


Now I’m hooked. I can’t wait until the next one. I  apologize for not having more info on each picture. What can I say? It was a hot and smoky (because of the forest fires) day.

For more information go to the event website.


An Awesome Video from the Parksville Qualicum Beach News


[wpvideo QoQ8Uje9]





^