AIA Sandcastle Competition

Every year, over 60 teams put their eyes and shovels 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, stretched along the beachfront, meticulously sculpt their piles of sand and work non-stop for five hours. While the building and awards takes place on Saturday, the best time to view the structures is the Sunday of the event. Avoid the crowds, and bring the family to enjoy these architectural marvels at your own pace on Sunday, plus, enjoy free sandcastle building lessons.

The judging of the sculptures is rated on originality of concept, artistic execution, technical difficulty, carving technique, and utilization of the site. In addition to the Golden Bucket prize, awards are given in several categories including Best Traditional Castle, Best Architectural Icon, Kidtastic! – LEGO Edition, Best Science Fiction, Best Sports, and Houston-centric, as well as 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 at the beach filled with fun, sand, and sun.

Event details subject to change. Click source links for latest information.