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Art Meets Waves: Cannon Beach Sandcastle Fest Honors Artist
21 Jun
Summary
- The 62nd annual sandcastle contest took place June 19-21 with stunning beach sculptures.
- Artist Ronni Harris was named Cannon Beach Chamber 2026 Artist of the Year.
- The free public festival featured sandcastle building, a bonfire, and a 5k fun run.
The 62nd annual Cannon Beach Sandcastle Contest, held from June 19 to 21, celebrated artistic talent against the scenic backdrop of Haystack Rock. Thousands of visitors, including artist Ronni Harris, flocked to the beach for the free public event. Harris, a longtime Astoria resident and artist, was honored as the Cannon Beach Chamber 2026 Artist of the Year.
The festival commenced with a kick-off celebration on Friday, followed by intensive sandcastle construction starting at 9 a.m. on Saturday. Master builders utilized excavators and intricate detailing techniques to create gravity-defying sculptures across various divisions, from youth to masters. Judging concluded at 2 p.m.
Evening festivities included a beach bonfire with s'mores and music, offering a lively atmosphere. The event concluded with a 5k fun run on Sunday morning, starting from the Tolovana Wayside beach entrance. Despite the ephemeral nature of the sand art, which was reclaimed by the tide, the event left a lasting impression on attendees.
