Sand Island Sand Castle event is a no-go in 2024

The Sand Island Sand Castle competition, an event that was beginning to gain traction in Columbia County, has been canceled this summer.

That’s the word from St. Helens City Administrator John Walsh, who said the reason stems from the transition from E2C Corporation, which previously ran tourism events, to Treadway Events & Entertainment.

There’s simply not enough time to stage the sand castle event in 2024, according to Walsh.

“The transition between E2C’s contract expiring June 30 and the new events contractor coming aboard has resulted in an unrealistic timeline to plan and execute the event,” Walsh said.

The sand castle competition is usually set for the beginning of August, as it has for the last few years.

While E2C is off the city budget, the exact terms of the agreement with Treadway remain unclear weeks after the transition began.

Addressing how long will it take to bring Treadway on board as events planner, Walsh said, “The city has met several times with Treadway representatives and is close to having a contract agreeable to both parties. Once tentatively agreed, the contract will be presented to the city council for acceptance at a public meeting.”

What about future events?

Tina Curry, while she was events coordinator through E2C, was heavily involved in Halloweentown, and her efforts made St. Helens a Halloween focal point throughout the world.

During the transition from E2C to Treadway, the future of Halloweentown is not completely known.

“Planning Halloweentown is a year-round effort and any transition in events management services contractors will influence the Halloweentown events,” Walsh said. “The closer we get to October the new contractor will have less time to plan and prepare for the event.”

With some voicing concern that Halloweentown could be canceled, Walsh said, “The city has every reason to believe that Halloweentown will happen this year. With a new event contractor coming aboard, the events will likely be different than years past and it will be up to the new contractor to develop and execute their version of Halloweentown.”