US Open Imperial Beach
Sandcastle Competition

While the IB Sandcasle Competition has been cancelled, a similar event has been set to replace it this year on the downtown San Diego waterfront:

The Sandcastle Sculpting Challenge
August 31 - September 3, 2012
B Street Terminal Pier (just south of the Maritime Museum of San Diego)
1140 North Harbor Drive
San Diego, CA (map)
Admission: $8 general;
$5 Active military, seniors over 62, and children 12 and under
More info: Event website
Parking: Seaport Village; public parking lots, metered street parking.
Trolley: Website
Coaster: Website

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SANDCASTLE CALLS IT QUITS AFTER 31ST YEAR
The U.S. Open Sandcastle Competition, an event that has called Imperial Beach home for the last 31 years, has seen its final summer in the sun, the event committee announced today.

An official statement released by the Board of Directors cited increasing costs and challenges in securing event sponsors as factors for discontinuing the event. In recent years, lack of volunteers, committee members and other resources has made the event increasingly difficult to put on by its all-volunteer committee and staff.

"The decision to not move forward was not one that was taken lightly and weighed heavily upon us," said Chairperson Debbie Longley. "The Board would like to express our deepest gratitude and thanks to everyone's hard work and support over the years. As one of the longest running events in San Diego County, Sandcastle touched the lives of many people and created fond memories for all of us."

The first U.S. Open Sandcastle Competition was held in 1980 by group of Imperial Beach residents. The first year, some 30,000 people attended. In recent years, this number has swelled to more than 400,000. As a non-profit event, admission to the festival and competition had always been free.

"Sandcastle has had a long, successful history and has put Imperial Beach on the map," said Imperial Beach Mayor Jim Janney. "It's been a tremendous amount of work for a group of volunteers and I wish to thank them all – recent volunteers and volunteers over the 31 years--for a job well done."