Cobourg's Masters of the Beach are back
By Cecilia Nasmith
Cobourg's Masters of the Beach are back Aug. 4, as the 13th annual Sandcastle Festival returns.
The award-winning event draws master sculptors from all over North America to town to celebrate the possibilities of sand art.
And along with some amazing creations to view, there is the chance to learn a thing or two with sand-sculpting lessons from five-time world champion Karen Fralich at 10 a.m.
Set to the music of a live DJ on the beach, the festival includes an inflatable fun park that includes two giant slip-and-slides. Admission is by wristband, which can be purchased for $5 at the resgistration tent. The wristband is also good for admission to the various inflatables a block or two away at the annual Downtown Cobourg Sidewalk Sale.
A new feature this year is live entertainment by Mark Sepic (also known as the Nutty Music Professor), with shows at 10 a.m., noon and 2 p.m.
End the day at 8:30 p.m. with a movie on the beach – Sherlock Gnomes – followed by a fireworks show over the pier at 10:30 p.m.
All that, and there's also the opportunity to compete with your own crew in business, youth, adult or family teams. You can register at www.experiencecobourg.ca or on-site at the festival at 8:30 a.m. Registration is $5 per person, and some cash prizes are up for grabs within each category (not to mention the coveted event title).
Sculptors get a team flag and a 20-ft.-square space to work their magic using only water and the sand on the beach. Competition begins at 10:30 a.m. and ends at 12:30 p.m. An awards ceremony begins at the DJ booth at about 4:30 p.m.
Councillor Suzanne Seguin always looks forward to seeing how the beach is tansformed during this special day.
“Talented sculptors from all over Ontario create the most amazing art in the sand, and the Town of Cobourg is proud to share this festival with the thousands of visitors who come to see it.”
The Sandcastle Festival has been recognized many times as one of the most well-known and respected of the province's festivals and events. It placed among this year's Top 100 Festivals and Events in Ontario, and has been recognized with the Pinnacle Award through the International Festival and Events Asociation.
Organized by the Town of Cobourg, the festival is proudly supported by such major sponsors as Cameco, the Cobourg Public Libary, New Amherst Homes and Thomas GMC Cobourg.
For a complete schedule and a list of master sculptors participating, visit the Experience Cobourg website.
