24th Annual AIA Houston SandCastle Competition

Presented by American Institute of Architects (AIA Houston) at Galveston East Beach

June 5, 2010

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For over two decades in the first part of June, teams of architects, designers, engineers and contractors have taken their tools to East Beach in Galveston for what is considered one of the world’s largest sandcastle competitions. The Houston Chapter of the American Institute of Architects (AIA) sponsors the 24th Annual AIA Houston SandCastle Competition.

This year 60 teams have their eyes (and shovels) set on...

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For over two decades in the first part of June, teams of architects, designers, engineers and contractors have taken their tools to East Beach in Galveston for what is considered one of the world’s largest sandcastle competitions. The Houston Chapter of the American Institute of Architects (AIA) sponsors the 24th Annual AIA Houston SandCastle Competition.

This year 60 teams have their eyes (and shovels) set on winning the prestigious Golden Bucket Award. Firms begin months in advance generating ideas, developing designs, and assigning duties. On the day of the event, the teams stretch along the beach meticulously sculpting their sand piles and working non-stop for five hours. The judging of the sandcastles is rated on originality of concept, artistic execution of the concept, technical difficulty, carving technique, and utilization of the site. In addition to the Golden Bucket, Awards are given in 8 different themed categories as well as for best team t-shirt design, best team signage, best costume, and public favorite.

At the end of the day, everyone goes home with memories of a great day on the beach filled with fun, sun, sand, and sea.

AIA SandCastle is a fundraising event for the AIA, scholarships, and the ArCH Foundation. It is also one of the top five revenue generating events for Galveston.

SandCastle Committee Chair for 2010 is Rudy Del Bosque II, Assoc. AIA.

Schedule of Events Saturday June 5th, 2010
10:00 am - 3:00 pm SandCastle Building
3:00 - 4:30 pm SandCastle Judging
4:30 - 5:00 pm Awards Ceremony

Please respect the hard work of our participants and sponsors. Please do not touch, damage, climb on, or destroy the sand sculptures. Many spectators visit the beach on Sunday to view and enjoy the works.

Pictured: Congratulations to Debby Joiner of A&E winner of the 2010 Sandcastle Logo Competition!

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Galveston East Beach

1923 Boddeker Dr.
Galveston, TX 77550

Full map and directions

Tickets:

The event is free and open to the public. (For team sandcastle participation, please visit the AIA website).

Parking
There is a $10.00 cash only parking fee per car collected by the Galveston Parks Board. .

Map, Directions, Food and Beverages
East Beach vendors will be selling food and beverages to the public on the beach and you may bring your own picnic according to the City of Galveston rules governing East Beach. Visit www.galveston.com/beachparks/ or call 409-762-EAST for more information. Private team and sponsor tents are not open to the public.

Pets
Please contact East Beach (409)762-EAST or visit www.galveston.com/beachparks/ with questions about beach rules regarding pets.

Beach Map
The site map that indicates a general layout of teams, sponsors, public areas, the stage, first aid, port o lets, and parking is available on the AIA Houston Sandcastle website, www.aiasandcastle.com.

Times:

Schedule of Events:
Saturday June 5th, 2010
10:00 am - 3:00 pm SandCastle Building
3:00 - 4:30 pm SandCastle Judging
4:30 - 5:00 pm Awards Ceremony

Please respect the hard work of our participants and sponsors. Do not touch, damage, climb on or destroy the sand sculptures. Many spectators visit the beach on Sunday to view and enjoy the works.

Phone: (713) 520-0155

Parking: Directions from Houston: Travel Interstate 45 South to The Galveston Causeway. Upon entering Galveston, Interstate 45 becomes Broadway. Continue down Broadway til you reach Seawall Boulevard. Turn left onto Seawall. Continue down Seawall until it ends, then turn right on Boddeker Drive. Follow the signs to East Beach!

East Beach holds about 7,000 cars on a huge wide open beach and is a perfect setting for ticketed outdoor concerts and festivals. East Beach welcomes national and local promoters, advertisers and beach enthusiasts.

Accessibility Info: Currently, no accessibility information is available for this event.

Official Website

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Event Name: 24th Annual AIA Houston SandCastle Competition
"Awesome!"
Comment posted by: Burgess Family from New Caney,Tx, Jun 05, 2010

Lived around the Houston area all my life & this was the first year to attend the sandcastle compitition...My family & I had a blast! This art was definitely one of the best...Great Job!

Lived around the Houston area all my life & this was the first year to attend the sandcastle compitition...My family & I had a blast! This art was definitely one of the best...Great Job!
Event Name: 24th Annual AIA Houston SandCastle Competition
"Great Family Event"
Comment posted by: TX GEEGEE from Austin, TX, Feb 25, 2010

I've offically made this event one of our annual family vacations! It is amazing to see these sandcastles and the kids love it!

I've offically made this event one of our annual family vacations! It is amazing to see these sandcastles and the kids love it!

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