A sculpture competition will return to the low tides of Smelt Bay this week: Sandcastle Day is set for Saturday, Aug. 27.

The annual event has been held on the Cortes Island beach for around 20 years, but it has been on hold the last few summers due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

In the past, the Cortes Island Senior Society has hosted the event. Carole Thacker is volunteering to make it happen for the first time since 2019.

“The seniors have always sponsored it…But it hasn't happened for three years because …(it) was canceled,” Thacker explained.

Scheduling the event is also tricky because the lunar calendar must align with a morning competition slot in the cooler exposed weather. The community organizer shared more on the tidal rhythms of the day.

“The tides have to be right so that we have sand around the corner in smelt bay," Thacker said. "So the tides have to be low in the morning.”

The event is family friendly and all are encouraged to register with a team or solo. There is no fee to register. Registration is at 10 a.m. at the Smelt Bay Provincial Park, beach parking area. There will also be food vendors at that location. The sculptures are created between 10 a.m. and 1 p.m., and there is a one hour break before the awards are given at 2 p.m.

 There are four categories for prizes:

• Structures and Castles
• Sea Critters
• Dragons and Monsters 
• “Other” (Open category)

Thacker doesn't suggest bringing dogs, and reminds the public that they must be on leash if dogs are present. 

“Dogs come, but we discourage it... They have to be on a leash. They run and destroy sand castles.”

The organizer encourages those interested in volunteering for the event on Saturday morning, to email her at caroleshop@gmail.com.

To hear more about this organic sculpture event, listen to the CKTZ news update below: