Imperial Beach Sandcastle Competition

July 24, 2011 ... Part 1

On our last full day in San Diego which was a Sunday we went to the 31st U.S. Open Sandcastle Competition in Imperial Beach. I was happy that things worked out the way they did ... my grandfather's birthday celebration being on the same weekend as the sandcastle competition weekend. Happy because I had not been to them since I was in high school and from what I remember the designs/creations used to be so impressive and so I wanted to go for myself and for Jacob and the kids to experience it themselves.

  This is Seacoast Drive .... the beach is to the left.

Coming up to the street fair ... obviously lots of yummy food all around.

There were also lots of booths, from insurance to the new dyson fans ... you know those round fans that don't have the fast spinning blades?

Since we took the stroller with us we couldn't all walk on the sandy beach together so we split up. First Sydna and I went to check out the sandcastle designs ... there were so many but since we got there around 11:00 am it was still very early to really see any type of significant progress. Some groups had several designs done and I took pictures of those.

This one was cool ... troops in battle.

The competitors were encouraged to come up with designs based on memorable moments, significant landmarks or Southern California ideals.

Sydna looking so grown up and beautiful.

These were some of the best designs that were partially finished. I was a bit disappointed that this years sandcastle competition didn't attract more talented artists. I do want to go to a different sandcastle competition somewhere in Northern California.

Not sure if I've said this before but Sydna looks so much older when she straightens her hair. She has beautiful wavy hair ... I keep telling her that it looks so pretty but she says that she doesn't want to leave it wavy because it becomes frizzy.

 After Sydna and I were done looking at all the sandcastle designs we went back to the Plaza to meet up with Jacob, Nathan, and Riley. This is how I found Nathan ... silly but I wasn't too thrilled about it and the little guy in the back looks sooo cute standing up while Jacob supports him.

Nathan didn't want to go see all the sandcastles so Sydna accompanied Jacob. I stayed with my boys.

To me, Riley looks a little older with a hat on but cute nontheless.

Riley and Momma ... and always putting something in his mouth.

After Sydna and Jacob came back we then walked down Seacoast Drive. We didn't eat anything there because I wanted to go back to the taco shop and eat more rolled tacos ... you know they're my favorite right?

Since we left the competitions early and we were not able to see all the finished designs and obviously didn't find out then who had taken the prize money I looked it up and found a picture of the grand prize winner.

It's pretty cool looking right?

The team that won were called the I.B. Posse who took top honors with their tribute to the troops. The prize money was over $21,000. Wow ... good for them.

Part two of our day coming up shortly...