Sun and Sea Festival – Imperial Beach

– presented for Free at Imperial Beach in San Diego, California

9:00 AM – Midnight  | Friday – Saturday| Annual Summer Festival

This year’s Sun and Sea Festival event further expands on the family-oriented theme to include a community parade. The event will also feature a stage with live  musical entertainment and children’s activities and crafts throughout the day.  Amateurs, including kids (Kids ‘n Kastles competition), also get to show off their sand sculpting skills. And, there will be plenty good gourmet food at the international food fair –  Attendees will have the opportunity to sample a variety of foods at the Certified Farmer’s Market and International Food Fair from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Portwood Pier Plaza and along Seacoast Drive. In addition, many of the restaurants in Imperial Beach will be offering special menus and discounts for the day.

The Original Imperial Beach Sandcastle Competition “..featuring world-class, award-winning sandcastle builders fashioning some of the best sand creations on the West Coast in a fast-paced, five-hour build”  Followed by the Sandcastle Ball and awards ceremony with cash prizes.

Professional sand carvers (yes, such people exist) converge every year on Imperial Beach, just south of San Diego, for the U.S. Open Sandcastle Competition.  The festival pretty much takes over the little town. Live music and more than 140 vendors add to the carnival atmosphere.  All Day and Night on Friday and Saturday.

History
The annual Sun & Sea Festival derives its name from the city’s original community festival that featured a sand sculpting competition and started in the 1960s to celebrate the date of the city’s incorporation. Imperial Beach also held the U.S. Open Sandcastle Competition for about 30 years, beginning in 1980.

Sun & Sea Festival Event Schedule

Friday
Noon – Dusk:  Exhibition Sandcastle on Display
6 pm – midnight: Sandcastle Ball

Saturday
7 am -9 am: Pancake Breakfast
9 am -10 am: Parade
9 am – 2 pm: Building Competition /  Master Sand Sculptures Created
10 am – 5 pm: Farmer’s Market and International Food Fair
2 pm – 4 pm: Judging of Sandcastles
4 pm – 5 pm: Sandcastle Awards Ceremony at Pier Plaza