When it eventually does, it will lap away the results of the second Coastside Mothers’ Club “Sandy Feet” sandcastle contest — but not before participants have unleashed their imaginations into assorted mermaids, creative sea monsters, pumpkins or surfers adorned with natural decorations, all for a good cause.
Presented by the Coastside Mothers’ Club, with Silver Shovel, Gold Shovel and Platinum Shovel levels of sponsors, the contest is scheduled from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sunday on Dunes Beach, located off Highway 1 at Young Avenue in Half Moon Bay, and includes judging, a picnic lunch and music.
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(Raffle tickets are one for $10 and three for $20.)
At the 2007 inaugural sandcastle contest, which yielded more than 20 sandy creations, participants came up with a mermaid, a mini-Pumpkin Festival complete with a pumpkin patch, sea horses and a surfer. This year should bring more of the same, said Mothers’ Club president Stefanie Pappalardo.
“We expect it to be a very, very fun day, and hope people come check it out even if they don’t build a castle,” she said.
The roughly 250-family club, founded in 1992 and spanning from Montara to Pescadero, offers support, education and socialization to parents and caregivers.
Organizers hope to top the $1,300 the contest brought last year for Coastside Hope.
The day begins at 9 a.m. when builders will “hopefully come with an idea” of what to make in a two-hour time span, Pappalardo said.
Creations can be any size and can incorporate decorations like sea glass, pumpkins or shells. All ages are welcome, and there will be 10 categories for judging: largest or tallest, most original design, most elaborate, castle with the deepest moat, best creature of the deep (i.e. shark, starfish, turtle or octopus), best beachmobile (like trains, planes, rocket ships), best use of decorative material (like shells, seaweed, feathers), best design incorporating a pumpkin, best group effort and judges’ choice.
At 11 a.m., local “celebrity” judges including local Youth Services Librarian Karen Choy, Half Moon Bay Review Publisher Debra Godshall, Harmony Road music school owner Kitty Rea, Coastside Hope Executive Director Fatima Soares and Pillar Point Harbormaster Dan Temko, will peruse the sandy creations.
While they ponder, carnival-style beach games for families, a hula competition for young children, a limbo contest and a disc jockey with festive music, will provide entertainment. “It will be a party atmosphere,” said Pappalardo.
Also planned is a “surf-a-duck” competition. Upon registration, each participant receives a small rubber duck with a number on it. (Additional ducks may be purchased for $3 each.) During the judging, two local surfers and some Mothers’ Club dads will mount their surfboards and paddle the ducks out to sea, and release them. The owner of the first duck to ride the waves to shore will receive a $100 American Express gift card.
From noon to 1 p.m., winners will be announced, awards will be given and there will be a picnic lunch. Participants can bring their own lunch or pre-order a box lunch from Chez Shea.
Award donors include Arbonne International, Body & Soul Day Spa, the Beach House, the Family Chef, Harbor Seal Company, Ink Spell Books, Lauritzen Photography, Mizu Uptown, Sam’s Chowder House and many more.
Registration fees for the contest are $12 per family. Lunch boxes are $8/adult and $3/child.
For information, call Kristen O’Brien at 712-4468.
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