U.S. Sand Sculpting Challenge Returns to Downtown San Diego

Around 250 tons of sand will be dropped at the B Street Pier in downtown San Diego Friday in preparation for this year's U.S. Sand Sculpting Challenge and 3D Art Exhibition.

The four-day event, which is scheduled to take place over Labor Day weekend, is expected to draw hundreds of thousands of spectators to the downtown area. In addition to sand art, the event will include music and dance performances, storytelling and circus performances, and magic acts. Children will be invited to play in a sandbox and take sand sculpting classes.

Now in its second year, the U.S. Sand Sculpting Challenge and 3D Art Exhibition is organized by Gordon Summer and Kent Trollen, who together with the Port of San Diego played a role in the return of sandcastles in Imperial Beach this year with the Sun & Sea Festival.

I.B. Posse and Archisand will again compete in the I.B. Challenge People's Choice Award, a special competition in homage to IB's connection to San Diego sandcastle history. I.B. Posse won last year with their Aztec-inspired sand sculpture.

The two teams joined Sand Squirrels to make a large sand sculpture for the Sun & Sea Festival which took place June 30.

Tickets to the Aug. 30 to Sept. 2 event are $9 for a one-day adult admission and $6 for one-day admission for children under 12, seniors and active military. Four-day passes cost $17 for adults and $11 for children, seniors and active military. Tickets will be sold at the event.

Organizers said a significant portion of the proceeds will go toward the Young Audiences of San Diego/Arts for Learning and the Maritime Museum of San Diego Education Programs.

–City News Service contributed to this report.