Often considered the most accessible spot on the Oregon Coast, Cannon Beach has long been a summer favorite. Oregon locals escaping the hustle and bustle of Portland collide with visitors from far and wide to transform this sleepy beach town into a thriving resort. Less than 1,500 people are lucky enough to call Cannon Beach home, but over 750,000 flock to its shores every summer.
Cannon Beach has more than just an accessible location working in its favor. It’s awash with natural beauty. So much so that National Geographic ranked it as one of the top 100 most beautiful places on Earth.
Rugged Haystack Rock, rising 235-meters out of the ocean, is a magnet for photographers and bird watchers hoping for a glimpse of the colony of Tufted Puffins who nest in its crevices to breed. Its four miles of golden sandy beaches are a hit with families, surfers and those seeking a spot of solitude.
There are, of course, no end of fabulous beach towns peppered along the Oregon Coast which have beauty in abundance. But when you visit Cannon Beach, you’ll soon see what sets it apart from the crowd: a thriving arts scene which few small towns could ever hope to surpass.
Cannon Beach has galleries galore- 18 to be precise- catering to art lovers of every kind. There is public art aplenty and secluded spots to inspire the most discerning artist. And then, there are the festivals. The most unusual of all: the annual Cannon Beach Sandcastle Contest.
What is a Sandcastle Contest?
Sure, almost every one of us has built a sandcastle in our lifetimes. For many, they were a highlight of childhood summers, even if destroying them was even more fun than building them. It might come as a surprise to learn that there’s a lot more to Cannon Beach Sandcastle Contest than buckets and spades.
Sand art is, in fact, highly complex and extremely competitive. The “sandcastles” built take many forms, though rarely that of an actual castle. They range from replicas of national monuments to sculptures of people and places.
Many of those who participate in sandcastle competitions take it just as seriously as any other art form. Until 2009, the elite of the sandcastle building world would compete for the title of World Champion in an annual contest in British Columbia.
Some aim to create the largest sand sculpture possible. The world record was set in Germany in 2019 when a group of artists came together to create a 58-foot-tall sandcastle from 11,000 tons of sand. Others set out to sculpt the most detailed, most colorful, or simply the most unique piece.
Today, sandcastle contests are held in every corner of the globe. Cannon Beach’s contest is one of the most important dates in the sandcastle building calendar.
The History of Cannon Beach Sandcastle Contest
There’s an old saying about “silver linings in adversity.” In Cannon Beach Sandcastle Contest’s case, this is certainly true. Born out of tragedy, the first contest was the result of a natural disaster.
On Good Friday 1964, a devastating 9.2-magnitude earthquake struck Anchorage, Alaska. The resulting tsunami sent waves across the Pacific, reaching as far afield as New Zealand, Peru, and Antarctica.
Of the 139 people who lost their lives in the disaster, 124 were killed as a result of the tsunami, five of them in Oregon. In Cannon Beach, the worst of the devastation was the destruction of Elk Creek Bridge, leaving residents isolated and drastically reducing visitor numbers to the town. In an effort to entertain themselves, with the added hope of attracting a few tourists as spectators, residents decided to host a sandcastle building competition.
Every year since, Cannon Beach Sandcastle Contest has gone from strength to strength, now holding its own as one of the most popular sand art competitions on the West Coast. Come rain or shine, Cannon Beach hosts the event annually. When Covid brought the world to a halt, Cannon Beach’s sandcastle contest simply moved online, allowing contestants to take part from wherever they were in the globe.
Cannon Beach Sandcastle Contest Today
If you want to see the masterworks on display at Cannon Beach Sandcastle Contest, you’ll need to act fast. The contest and judging take place on just one day, although there are related events held on the days before and after.
The event is always held on a Saturday and by Sunday morning, the sandcastles have been washed away by the tide. More often than not, Cannon Beach Sandcastle Contest takes place in June, but every now and again, it occurs in July. The exact date depends on the tidal forecast as low tides are essential.
In 2026, the contest is scheduled to take place on June 20th, whilst 2027’s event is planned for June 12th.
Participating
One of the great things which sets Cannon Beach’s Sandcastle Contest apart from certain similar events is that it’s open to all. Whether you’re a sand art expert or a complete novice, everyone is welcome to take part.
There are seven divisions in which competitors can enter. The top tier, the Masters Division, is by invitation only. To be invited, you have to have competed previously and demonstrated some exceptional sand art skills. Winners of other Masters Level sandcastle competitions are also welcome to apply.
Most first-time competitors will find themselves entering either the Small or Large Group Division. Small groups require between one and four competitors, whilst the large group division is for up to eight participants.
Younger sandcastle builders are able to compete in separate, age-specific divisions. The youngest participants, up to age six, take part in the Sand Fleas Division and receive a sand bucket filled with beach toys just for taking part. The Junior Division caters for ages seven to 11, whilst teenagers up to the age of 18 can enter the Teen Division.
All you have to do is register in advance. Registration opens in early Spring each year for that summer’s contest.
Visiting
You don’t have to get your hands dirty, or sandy, to enjoy the Cannon Beach Sandcastle Contest. Every year, thousands of spectators line the beach to watch the works of sand art being constructed. The contest is free to observe, and no ticket or advance booking is necessary.
To get the most out of the contest, plan to make a weekend of it. Various events take place from the Friday morning until Sunday lunchtime, long after the contest has finished and the canvas wiped clean by the sea. Once the judging is complete on the Saturday evening, a concert and bonfire are held on the beach.
There are dozens of hotels in the center of Cannon Beach, many of them just steps from the beach. Given how popular Cannon Beach Sandcastle Contest is, it’s strongly advisable to book as far in advance as possible. Leaving it to the last minute will likely mean high prices on top of the usual premium for visiting the beach in summer.
During your stay, it’s well worth leaving a little time to explore the town itself. Once you’ve exhausted the art galleries and eaten your fill of fresh seafood, head for Whale Park. The spot where Lewis and Clark’s men found a beached whale during their 1806 expedition is marked by a bronze whale sculpture. Pushing north along the coast, hike up to Ecola State Park. The three-mile trail is easy-going and with stunning coastal views to spur you on, it really is a walk in the park. For the ultimate serenity, continue beyond the main viewpoint to secluded Indian Beach.
About the Author
Originally from the south of England, Alex is currently based in the remote Shetland Islands, spending every minute possible discovering new places. When he’s not traveling, he is writing to suppress the wanderlust. Alex is the author of the travel books A Long Weekend in Ulaanbaatar and Running the Milk and when not traversing the United States gathering material for the next, is always on the hunt for new destinations to provide inspiration. Alex thrives on all things travel, but his main areas of interest are transportation, accommodation, and off-the-beaten-track destinations. He has a particularly keen interest in the UK, Eastern & Northern Europe, Türkiye & Caucasia, the Levant, and the USA.
