Everything About The 59th Annual Cannon Beach Oregon Sandcastle Contest 2023
The Cannon Beach Sandcastle Contest is an Oregon Heritage Tradition event, having been bestowed with honor in 2014. To be an Oregon Heritage Tradition event, an event must be held for 50 consecutive years and have broad public appeal.
This family friendly event is easy for anyone to enjoy, being less than a 1.5 hours drive from Portland along beautiful Highway 26. The event encourages spectators to marvel at the intricate and sometimes massive sand sculptures for free and if you are feeling up for it, you can even gather some friends and family and enter the contest as a team if you want to participate in the festivities.
Date and Times
The 59th Annual Sandcastle Contest is Saturday, June 10th, 2023. Sandcastle building will begin at 10:00 am on Saturday and final judging will commence at 3:30 pm.
In addition to the contest on Saturday, there will be a Bonfire with music and s'mores at 7:30 pm. This is a free event on the beach off of 2nd St. in Cannon Beach.
Where to Stay
With the contest being just a short drive from the Portland area, it is easy to make a day trip out of the event and return home after a long day at the coast. But for those traveling farther or hoping to make a weekend long getaway out of the event, there are some great local hotels in the Cannon Beach and Seaside area, including:
- Hallmark Resort and Spa
- The Ocean Lodge
- The Inn at Cannon Beach
- Schooner's Cove Inn
- Rivertide Suites
- River Inn at Seaside
- The Kathryn Riverfront Inn
- And many more
Price
The event is FREE for the public to enjoy. There is an entry fee for teams who would like to participate, but the price for registering for the 2023 Sandcastle Contest has yet to be determined. Check for an update closer to the beginning of the event!
Divisions
There are multiple divisions in the Sandcastle Contest to allow for challenge for different skill levels, ages, and team sizes. The masters division is the only professional level with prize money for the top teams. Then, there is the large team division of 8 team members, the small team division with 4 members, and the junior divisions for different age levels of teens and children.
Parking
This is a popular event in Cannon Beach, so parking can be difficult depending on what time you are arriving at the beach. Within Cannon Beach, there is street parking around town and several small city parking lots. First street is a good bet for finding parking. If you don't mind a walk along the beach, try Tolovana Park. It has a large parking area and is about a 1.5 mile walk along the beach up to the area where the Sandcastles will be built. Plus, it is close to Mo's restaurant, so you can enjoy some seafood and chowder after a long day enjoying the beach.
Weather
The Oregon Coast is known for its unpredictable weather, so be prepared for anything when planning your trip to the Sandcastle Contest. The event will go on, rain or shine.
The tradition of the Cannon Beach Sandcastle Contest is certainly an annual event you will want to repeat every year. Because of its 58 years of heritage, there is a great family aspect of the event as multiple generations of families both visit and participate every year. We hope to see you out there this June.