By The Blue Water SandFest Committee
Port Huron, MI – Registration is open for the Amateur Sandsculpting Contest & Cornhole Tournament during Blue Water SandFest! SandFest takes place August 4-6 at the Fort Gratiot Light Station County Park, 2802 Omar Street, Port Huron, Michigan.
The Amateur Sandsculpting Contest takes place Saturday, August 5, 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM, at the Fort Gratiot Light Station County Park. Individuals and groups are invited to create a work of art during this fun competition.
Children, teens and adults are welcome to try their hand at creating a sand sculpture. Awards will be given to first, second and third place in the following categories:
- Children up to age 8 (solo and team)
- Children 9 – 12 years (solo and team)
- Families/Groups (maximum of 6 per team)
- Businesses (maximum of 6 per team)
- Solo 13-17 years
- Solo Adult (18 years and over)
Registration is $10 per person. Plots are limited and are available on a first come, first served basis. The registration deadline is July 31. To reserve your plot, visit http://bluewatersandfest.com/amateur.html and download the registration form. Send the completed form, along with the registration fee, to Amateur Contest, PO Box 610518, Port Huron, MI 48061-0518. Plots that are not reserved by July 31 will be open to the public August 1.
The Cornhole Tournament, run by the Blue Water Young Professionals, also takes place Saturday, August 5. Teams with participants ages 18 and up are invited to enter this fun contest. Registration is $50 per team. Tournament play is bracket with a two-game elimination. Check-in begins at 12:30 PM, with games starting promptly at 1:00 PM. The tournament is limited to 32 teams, so register today!
To register or for more information about the Amateur Sandsculpting Contest, including the schedule, categories and contest rules, and the Cornhole Tournament during Blue Water SandFest, visit www.bluewatersandfest.com.
About Blue Water SandFest
Master and Advanced Amateur Sculptors from around North America will be gathering when Blue Water SandFest returns to the Fort Gratiot Light Station County Park, 2802 Omar Street, Port Huron, Michigan,
August 4-6, 2023. The event has become one of the most important sand sculpture competitions in the United States and has been named one of USA Today’s Top 10 and one of Fodor’s 10 Best Sandcastle Competitions.
This family-friendly event offers a wonderful array of activities for guests of all ages, including:
- Doubles Competition – Master and Advanced Amateur Sculptors will team up to design and execute their creations.
- Blue Water SandFest Live Music Festival – Live music all weekend long at Blue Water SandFest.
- Heroes & Educators Weekend – All active duty and veterans of the armed services, first responders and border patrol, health care providers along with education employees get in free with valid ID all weekend.
- Blue Water SandFest Cornhole Tournament – Join the fun at the Cornhole Tournament, being organized by the Blue Water Young Professionals.
- Blue Water SandFest Amateur Contest – Individuals and groups compete for the Amateur Championship. This is an open competition for kids, families, adults and groups.
- Volunteer Opportunities – There are volunteer opportunities all weekend long. Come volunteer as a team from an employer or organization!
All proceeds from Blue Water SandFest are used for restoration of the historic buildings and grounds of the Fort Gratiot Light Station County Park.
Tickets:
$6 per person, online and at the gate. Children 4 and under are free. Heroes & Educators are free.
Purchase a 3-day pass for just $15 allowing entry to the park all weekend to watch the progress of the sculptors.
Purchase a 2-day pass for just $10 allowing entry to the park for Saturday and Sunday.
Online ticket purchase is available at www.bluewatersandfest.com.
Times:
Friday, August 4 10:00 AM to 8:00 PM
Saturday, August 5 10:00 AM to 8:00 PM
Sunday, August 6 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM
About Friends of the Fort Gratiot Light
Working Together to Keep the Light Burning Bright – The Friends of the Fort Gratiot Light (FFGL) share a passion for the Fort Gratiot Light Station County Park that has exhibited itself in many ways over the years. At first, the focus was financial to support restoration on the oldest lighthouse in Michigan, the Fort Gratiot Lighthouse. Once that goal was met, the focus shifted to the other historic buildings and the grounds of the park. This created a growing opportunity for volunteers to fulfill their passion by continuing fundraising along with supplying physical labor and guidance in the restoration effort.
