It was a perfect day for the Cobourg Sandcastle Festival on Saturday, August 2, 2025.
A number of Master Sculptors finished off their works of art they had started on Friday.
Some of the creations include a polar bear among icebergs, a giant sand castle, scenes of Canada’s wilderness and a dragon.
Master Sculptor Rod Watson from Kingston started his dragon sand sculpture on Friday at 9 a.m. and worked till 5:30 p.m., then came back on Saturday at 7 a.m. and completed it around 2 p.m.
Watson is 60-years-old and has been playing in the sand since 2007 when he got into it as a “fluke.”
“I was camping and that particular week there were professionals practicing and it inspired me to do my own.”
“From there I took the positive feedback from people passing by and I just kind of grew into it.”
With an artistic background it’s helped him learn about sand sculpting.
Watson said he enjoys speaking with people as they watch him create the artwork, and hopes that he inspires others.
As far as he creation in Cobourg, Watson said, “I just wing it.”
Like all sand sculptors you hope for the best and that the sand holds together, but if not you adapt and move on.
The hardest part of this weekends creation was the dragon and the fine details.
Watson says with a smile that he never thought at 60-years-old he’d still be playing in the sand.
There was lots of other things happening in Victoria Park with food trucks, along with entertainment at the bandshell.
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
