🏖️ Birch Bay’s 43rd Annual Sand Sculpture Competition 🏰

📅 August 1st, 2026

📍 Birch Bay Beach Park

Get ready to roll up your sleeves, grab a bucket and shovel, and let your creativity run wild! This beloved summer tradition brings together families, friends, and artists of all ages for a fun-filled day of beachside creativity and community celebration.
 
Day-of registration will open at 8AM with building beginning when the tide allows around 10:00 AM, giving participants plenty of time to craft their sandy masterpieces before judging takes place in the late afternoon. Whether you’re a seasoned sand sculptor or just trying it for fun, everyone is welcome to participate!
 
CLICK HERE TO REGISTER AS A PARTICIPANT
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  • Plots are up to 20’x20′. work must be confined to this area.
  • Plot must be clearly marked with colored stake designation division. (Stake will be given at check in)
  • Extra water to wet sand is OK
  • Tools or forms of any sort may be used in the process of construction, but may not support the structure.
  • Decorations such as flags, kites, figurines, ornaments natural to design, may be used, but may not support structure.
  • You must clean your area! Only biodegradable and earth friendly materials are allowed to be left on the beach.
  • Children’s categories: One Adult may assist with initial digging, not with actual building.
  • The main thing is to have fun and enjoy the day in Birch Bay!
  • After judging stake must be turned in and area cleaned up to receive any awards earned

** PLEASE NOTE: ALL DOGS ON THE BEACH NEED TO BE ON AN 8′ OR LESS LEASH! PLEASE CLEAN UP AFTER YOUR PET!**

We look forward to receiving any video clips or photos taken at our event. Please send them to info@birchbaychamber.com.

THANK YOU!

People’s Choice – Chosen by event attendees

  • Little Kids 6 & Under (non-judged category).
  • Kids 13 and Under
  • Solo, Duos & Trios
  • Small Groups Up to 8 Participants
  • Large Groups 9+ Partipants
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    🗓️ August 1st, 2026*

    ⏰ 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM

    📍 Birch Bay Beach Park: 7930 Birch Bay Drive

    ⛱️ 9:00 AM: Registration & Participant Check-in Begins

    ⛱️ 10:00 AM: Beer Garden Opens

    ⛱️ 10:30 AM: Sand Sculpting Begins (timing of this is tide dependent)

    ⛱️ 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM: Live Music by Ian Dobson Steel Drums on the bp Cherry Point Main Stage

    ⛱️ 11:00 PM: Food Trucks Open

    ⛱️ 12:00 PM – 3:00 PM: WECU’s People Choice Voting Open

    ⛱️ 1:00 PM – 4:00 PM: Live Music by Jenn-X Band on bp Cherry Point Main Stage

    ⛱️ 1:00 PM – 3:00 PM: Live Music by Ian Dobson Steel Drums mobile on the Berm and shoreline

    ⛱️ 2:00 PM: Sculpture Judging to Begin (timing of this is dependent on the sculpting build start)

    ⛱️ 4:30 PM: Award Ceremony (timing of this is dependent on the judges return and score tabulation)

    ⛱️ 5:00 PM – Beer Garden and Festival Close

    *Events and timing are subject to date changes at this time due to a number of factors beyond our control.

    Join the Fun! Friday before the Sand Sculpture Competition:

    WHAT IS A POKER RUN?

    Our Birch Bay Poker Run is a fun, family-friendly, all ages event where teams travel between local checkpoints by bicycle, golf cart, or on foot, collecting playing cards along the way ♣️ 🚲 🌊 

    The goal is to build the best 5-card poker hand for a chance to win prizes!

    This free, non-gambling event is a great way to explore Birch Bay, connect with local businesses, and enjoy a day of summer fun with friends and family.

    Special thanks to John & Birch Bay Bike Shop for helping keep our riders rolling! 🚲

    CLICK HERE TO REGISTER

    Please note: This is regular WTA route service. Standard WTA fares apply—it is not a free event shuttle. Please plan ahead and have your fare ready or use your preferred WTA payment method.

    Skip the Parking Hassle

    Ride WTA to the Sand Sculpture Competition! 🚌🏖️

    Heading to Birch Bay’s Annual Sand Sculpture Competition on Saturday, August 1? Let Whatcom Transportation Authority (WTA) do the driving!

    WTA will be providing convenient regular route service throughout the day with stops throughout Birch Bay. Whether you’re coming to compete, cheer on your favorite sculptors, or simply enjoy a beautiful day at the beach, riding WTA is an easy way to avoid traffic, reduce parking congestion, and spend more time enjoying the event. The bus drops you close to all the sand sculpture action!

    🎁 Ride WTA and get a little extra fun!
    Anyone who arrives at the Sand Sculpture Competition by WTA can stop by the Birch Bay Visitor Information Center booth during the event and show your appreciation for choosing public transportation by picking a prize from our prize box (while supplies last)!

    We encourage everyone to leave the car behind when possible and help make this fun, family-friendly event even more enjoyable for everyone!

    2024: 41st Annual

    2023: 40th Annual

    THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS AND SUPPORTERS:

    Phillips 66 Ferndale Refinery Logo
    Blaine-Birch Bay Park & Recreation District 2 Logo
    Sparrow's Pest Control Logo
    Whatcom County Logo

    COUNTDOWN TO THE 2026 SAND SCULPTURE COMPETITION:

     
     

    Past Sand Sculpture Competition Results

    Our Sand Sculpture Competition winners are now posted on our Birch Bay Chamber Website!

    Click the button below to see our judge’s favorites from this year! We had so many amazing sculptures it sure was hard to pick the winners! Thanks to everyone who came out and built such amazing sculptures in the sand!

    Sand Sculpture Competition 2021 Winners Rollback Weekend Car Show Winners

    Saturday, July 20th Winners:

    Little Kids Division (Kids under 8 years old)

    1st Place – Team Bananas, Captian Ella Van Holfwegen (Make believe Island called Hatuka)

    2nd Place – Team Castle Builders, Captian Paxton

    3rd Place – Team Rocket – Captian Evan (Bey Blade)

    Tweens (Ages 9-14)

    1st Place – Octabuck, Captain Emma Riemer (“Thanks A Latte – Octopus arm holding a Starbucks cup)

    2nd Place – Luna the Hippo – Captain Lea Artiguenava

    3rd Place – Team USA, Captain Taryn Walters (Equal justice honoring the girls of the US Soccer team – “Dream Big – Equal Play for Equal Pay!”)

    High School (Ages 15-18)

    1st  Place – Team Castle of Dreams, Captain Ryan (Something you would see in your dreams – a castle on top of a turtle shell with rocks balanced on top)

    2nd Place – Team Ocean, Captain Maya Daniels (Turtle, octopus and shark with shells for teeth)

    Big Kids (Ages 19 – 100)

    1st Place – Team Octopussy, Captain Alli Willis (A huge Octopus)

    2nd Place – Team Tidal Defense, Captain Rick Tippe (Pirate Ship Wreck)

    3rd Place – Team Dino MD, Captain Meagan (Dinosaurs)

    Sunday, July 21st Winners:

    Family Division:

    1st Place – Team Hustle Muscle, Captain Katie

    A Pirate Ship being attacked by an octopus, with a treasure chest filled with treasured words on painted rocks. Team members were dressed in pirate costumes and were playing pirate music.

    2nd Place – Team Gogal Family, Captain Trynka

    The Eagle has Landed – A beautiful eagle on its back with wings spread in celebration of the 50th anniversary of the USA moon landing.

    3rd Place – Team Tess, Captain Kaitlyn

    Hank the Hoarder, a shell hoarding octopus. Three generations worked together on this sand sculpture.

    Community Division:

    1st Place – Team Insandity, Captain Veronica

    Castle & Dragons – A dragon complete with teeth and scales surrounding castles that are being destroyed by the squeeze of his tail.

    2nd Place – Team Mavericks, Captain Penny

    Fun in the Sun – Iguanas have fun in the sun just like the team that was building him.

    3rd Place – Sand Apocalypse, Captain Bryan Bell

    Battle at Sea – 2 Ships at battle firing flowers from their cannons.