Cannon Beach Celebrates 60th Annual Sandcastle Contest

On Saturday, June 15, the 60th Annual Cannon Beach Sandcastle Contest was celebrated in a magical place where the sand meets the sea.

Spectators in the large crowd were enchanted by the artistic creations as they strolled past with their children, dogs, families and friends. The weather was mild and cloudy, interrupted by a short burst of rain, while the open sky and fresh ocean air inspired imagination, creativity and curiosity.

The Cannon Beach Chamber of Commerce once again hosted the annual event. Chamber Marketing Manager Sierra Spinler said, “we had the highest contestant attendance of the last few years for the Sandcastle Contest and Fun Run.

We had four Master’s Teams, which is more than last year. Our Open-Individuals Division, a pilot division for the contest this year, also went great, and the winner came all the way from Wyoming! We also introduced the ‘People’s Choice Awards.’ Spectators were excited to cast their votes with locally made wooden tokens made by Exit Sunset in Cannon beach, with the Master’s Team Ozymandias winning the People’s Choice Award.”

Spinler added, “we really aimed to elevate the event this year, and the local and visitor feedback has been so positive that we are thrilled the new touches we incorporated went over so well. We are proud to have worked with Donny Masterson on many aspects of the Sandcastle Contest, such as the posters, 60th anniversary mementos and parade float. The new parade float participated in the Portland Rose Festival Starlight Parade representing Cannon Beach and the Sandcastle Contest, and it was a grand success.”

Stop by the Cannon Beach Visitors Center to see the new “lenticular” version of the Sandcastle Contest poster created by Donny Masterson. It is a beautiful and magical tribute to Cannon Beach artist and icon Bill Steidel.

We can all look forward to the 61st Annual Cannon Beach Sandcastle Contest to be held June 21, 2025; when newly imagined creations will magically arise from the sand.