April Swenson, Managing Broker at
Coldwell Banker Ocean Shores Brokers

June 27th-29th ~ The annual Five Star Dealerships Sand & Sawdust Festival was held over the weekend. The weather was lovely with sun and some clouds and warm days. The Team Competition for the sand sculptures did not turn out so well this year because the event overseers did not look at the tide tables and so, the teams did not even get to finish before the tides came in and started to ruin their progress. But we still were able to see some of the works of sand art. The Singles Division was done at different venues -- the Convention Center, the Canterbury Inn and the Playtime Family Fun Center.

The crisp cedar smells permeated the air at the Woodcarving Competitions in front of the Convention Center, which always produces many pieces of art. Master Chainsaw Carvers from around the world and the United States compete for thousands of dollars in prizes. Competitions took place from 9-4 on Friday and Saturday and 8-1 on Sunday. The Awards Ceremony and Auction was held on Sunday at 4pm. You will have to wait until next year to have a chance to take home a piece of original art! I personally liked the Donald Duck and the Lion wood carving (see picture below).

Additional activities inside and outside the Convention Center included approximately 60+ Food and Craft Vendors.

See the Video Tour to see my video of the Sandcastle Competitions.

Many people packed the beach to view the sandcastles, fly kites, swim/wade in the Ocean, and to enjoy the beach.


Sandcastles

"It's a Shell-a-Bration"








The Wood Carvings







The Wood Carvers



Wood carvers show off their works of art.



The Vendors & People

Vendors in front of the Convention Center.

The Auction & Vendors in the Convention Center.