By Mark Goodkin
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US Imperial Beach Sandcastle Competition
I drove down I-5 from North County to the US Imperial Beach Sandcastle Competition yesterday. I made a detour through Coronado and the Silver Strand Hwy, which made for a pleasant journey on such a nice day. I got to Imperial Beach around noon and parked about half a mile away in a small neighborhood. As I walked along Imperial Beach Blvd to the beach, there were a few empty spots here and there, as well as paid parking at Imperial Beach High School, were bike cabs pedaled people to the beach.
As I got closer to the beach, I couldn’t help but admire the small beach town atmosphere, with mom and pop shops and restaurants. This part of town is definitely not glitzy, but nor was it seedy, as it once had been. The neighborhood I parked in and others I walked through are humble, yet well maintained. Close to the beach now, I saw the Tijuana Estuary, an open expanse, stretched all the way to the border. The town is definitely isolated from the rest of San Diego County, separated by a bay, a naval area, and estuaries.
I finally arrived at the beach and immediately noticed Imperial Beach Pier, off to the north, with glistening water all around the wooden structure. I could see people lined up all along the pier, watching the crowds and sandcastles below.
I took north along the beach toward the pier, stopping by to admire the sandcastles and their creators hard at work, carving forms and shapes from the sand. In some instances, the builders, themselves, appeared to be animated extensions of the creations themselves. The beach was expectedly crowded, and no dogs or booze were allowed.
People Admire Sand Sculpture
As I neared Imperial Beach Pier Plaza, I could hear a rock band playing Santana to a crowd gathered at Pier Plaza Park. The street next to the park and plaza was lined with vendors for a few blocks to the north. This part of the event seemed as packed and alive as the beach. There was no artsy stuff, though, as you’ll find at other beach town street fairs. It was more like what you’d find at the San Diego County Fair in the vendor exhibits. And, of course, there was food, from Kettle Korn to ice cream to hot dogs, beef and chicken sandwiches and more.
After looking at the vendor exhibits, I walked to the pier to get a better view of the beach. As I perched watching the people below, I also saw surfers nearby, riding in small but nicely formed waves. The pier is as interesting if not more so, than the sandcastle event. The wooden structure is rather long, certainly striking and eccentric, as all piers are in one way or another. At the end is a snack bar, as eccentric and weather beaten as the pier itself.
Beyond the pier, many pelicans dove and splashed into the water. A couple of lifeguards on jet ski ripped along the waves up and down the beach to monitor the crowded waters. And people on the beach were little colored specks, blending into colorful clusters around each sandcastle, and streams between.
Finally back on the sand and humbled by the leveled vantage point, I moved at the speed of the crowd to see the sandcastles once more. After a little patience and some politeful butting in, I made my way to the front of each sand creation. The subject matter had an erie, almost ghost like quality, as faces and objects, both literal and whimsical, took on and became extensions of the monotone color and texture of the sand surrounding them. Those who spent all morning creating the sandcastles, now kicked back in beach chairs behind them, noshing on lunch, chatting, and watching the onlookers.
I can say I enjoyed the event very much. It was worth the drive and walk, and left me with a good feeling. I went alone with camera and water bottle, but the two-day celebration is definitely family-friendly. Remember to bring water, sunscreen and be prepared to walk alot.