Annual sandcastle competition to take over Clam Harbour Beach next Sunday

The August 11 event is expected to draw up to 10,000 people to the Eastern Shore.

“It just had its 40 anniversary last year, so this'll be the 41. It started as a community group out on the Eastern Shore, and now it's a very large tourism event,” says Paul Forrest, a member of HRM Parks and Recreation department.

Forrest has been running the sandcastle competition for the past seven years, and says it's always a highlight.

“It's a really amazing event to see. Every year there's something new that I haven't seen,” he tells NEWS 95.7's The Todd Veinotte Show.

At 9 a.m. Sunday, registration opens for all categories at the beach boardwalk.

“Signing up is only allowed day of,” says Forrest. “We've never maxed out in registrants, there's usually no issue trying to squeeze people in.”

A shuttle runs to and from the beach, and the coordinator warns that the crowds are large.

“It is a lot of traffic getting into the beach and there's a lot of people there,” he says.

Over the course of the day, dozens of individuals and groups build castles and sculptures than span the entire beach.

“The classic sandcastle people love to see, and it's how the event started, so we keep that as a category,” explains Forrest. “But you'll see more and more entries going in the sculpture contest and actually creating some pretty unique works of art.”

There are three age categories: child (under 12), youth (under 18) and adult.

“It can be whatever you want it to be.. And you can do it by yourself or you can do it with a group,” says Forrest.

For many who grew up on the Eastern Shore, the competition is an annual family event. For others, it's a chance to showcase their art.

“There are artists who work with all forms of mediums and disciplines, and you'll see them come out and do an event for the first time,” he says. “Then you'll see people who have done it year after year who actually do finance, but this is just what they've done as a family tradition and they've got to know the skills now.”

Forrest says one trick is to know the sand you're working with and get familiar with the beach beforehand.

“Learn the tips and tricks of the trade,” he says. “Really it's about keeping the castles moist. You have to be spraying them nonstop, especially if it's a hot day.”

Forrest says that at the end of the day, prizes are given up to $500 cash.

Then, when the participants leave, the tide comes in to reclaim the beach from the sculptures.

“The event is based on tides. The tide is always going to come in end of day, and that's going to take away a lot of them,” says Forrest.

Of the remaining sandcastles, some people choose to leave theirs up for beachgoers to admire over the coming days, while others destroy their own creations.

“If you do it with a group of people or some kids, they've been waiting all day to go stomp it down.” he says. “And you can't blame them. It's a good life lesson, this is just a temporary work of art.”