Victoria Beach is about to become one giant outdoor art gallery as the Cobourg Sandcastle Festival returns this weekend, bringing internationally recognized sand sculptors, family competitions, entertainment and activities to the waterfront.
The annual festival officially takes place on Saturday, August 8, but visitors heading to the beach on Friday, August 7, will already be able to watch master sculptors begin transforming thousands of pounds of sand into breathtaking works of art.
This year’s festival embraces the spirit of imagination and adventure, inviting visitors to explore incredible sculptures inspired by pirate ships, hidden treasure, underwater kingdoms, magical creatures, jungle expeditions and epic journeys across land, sea and sky.
While the professional artists create stunning masterpieces, the festival also encourages everyone to become part of the experience.
Amateur Competition
The amateur sandcastle competition begins Saturday morning with registration opening at 8:30 a.m.
Competition starts at 10 a.m. and runs until 1:30 p.m., with judging taking place between 3 p.m. and 4:30 p.m.
Participants can compete in four categories:
- Business Challenge
- Adult
- Family
- Youth (14 and under)
Organizers say the competition is open to everyone—from first-time builders to experienced sand artists—with prizes awarded for creativity, originality and overall design.
Community Castle
One of the festival’s most popular attractions returns with the Community Castle, allowing visitors of all ages to work alongside professional sculptors.
Master artists will be on hand throughout the day sharing techniques and offering advice while helping festival-goers leave their own creative mark on one massive community sculpture.
More Than Sand
The entertainment continues throughout Saturday with something happening virtually every hour.
A beach DJ will provide music from 10 a.m. until 5 p.m.
Families can enjoy an inflatable park in Victoria Park from 10 a.m. until 6 p.m., while food vendors and food trucks will keep visitors fueled throughout the day.
At 5:30 p.m., comedian and juggler Noah Nogueira brings his Bedazzled Comedy-Juggling Show to the beach before staying afterward for photographs and meet-and-greet opportunities.
The day concludes with Movie Under the Stars in Victoria Park featuring Lilo & Stitch beginning at 8:30 p.m.
Discover Cobourg
Visitors are also encouraged to explore Cobourg beyond the beach.
Downtown businesses, restaurants, museums, galleries and community attractions are all part of the festival experience, with three hours of free municipal parking available downtown.
Festival organizers recommend arriving early, parking once, and spending the day discovering everything Cobourg has to offer.
A World-Class Lineup of Sand Artists
One of the festival’s biggest attractions is the opportunity to watch internationally acclaimed sculptors create extraordinary works from nothing more than sand and water.
Among this year’s featured artists are:
- Mike and Rachelle, the husband-and-wife team behind Think Big from Quebec, who have spent more than two decades competing and winning awards across Canada.
- Tanya Kastl, whose nature-inspired sculptures have appeared on CBC’s Race Against the Tide and HGTV’s Cottage Makeover.
- Sèveline Beauregard, one of the youngest professional sculptors in the world and founder of Sculpture BeauRegard.
- Tom Chalmers, known throughout Ontario as the “Frontyard Carver” for his imaginative sand and snow sculptures.
- Rodney Watson, an award-winning artist whose talents span acrylics, chalk art, pet portraits and intricate sand sculptures.
- Sandi “Castle” Stirling, a master sculptor with more than 30 years of experience and a familiar face from CBC’s Race Against the Tide.
- Joris Kivits, a Dutch artist who has sculpted throughout Europe and describes sand sculpture as “theatre” because of its temporary beauty.
- Bob Atisso, whose emotionally inspired sculptures invite visitors to reflect on life’s deeper meanings.
- Dmitry Klimenko, an internationally acclaimed sculptor whose work has appeared in festivals throughout Europe, Asia, the Middle East and North America.
Each artist brings a unique style and perspective, ensuring visitors will discover something new with every sculpture along the beach.
Helpful Tips
Festival organizers recommend bringing:
- Sunscreen
- A camera
- Water
- Comfortable walking shoes
- Plenty of imagination
Builders hoping to create their own masterpiece are encouraged to pack wet sand tightly, build larger shapes first, and let creativity lead the way.
Whether visitors come to compete, admire the professional sculptures, watch world-class artists at work, enjoy live entertainment or simply spend a summer day on one of Ontario’s most beautiful beaches, the Cobourg Sandcastle Festival promises another memorable weekend celebrating creativity, community and the magic that can be created with nothing more than sand, water and imagination.
Author: Pete Fisher
Has been a photojournalist for over 30-years and have been honoured to win numerous awards for photography and writing over the years. Best selling author for the book Highway of Heroes - True Patriot Love
