SAN DIEGO (KGTV) — Mesmerizing works of art will hit San Diego's this Labor Day weekend as more than 300 tons of sand transform Broadway Pier into a sand sculptor's playground.
From Aug. 31 to Sept. 2, the Port of San Diego will host the U.S. Sand Sculpting Challenge along the city's waterfront. This year's theme of "Wonder" will pay tribute to the Port's Wonderfront 2019 events, including Wonderspaces and Wonderfront music festival this November.
The competition will feature 12 master sculptors from around the world to create museum-level quality sculptures out of nothing but sand.
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These pop-up works of art can reach up to 15 feet tall and weigh more than 20,000 pounds.
Competitors will battle for more than $60,000 in prize money and national pride. Returning this year will be 2018's grand prize winner Tom Koet from Melbourne, Fla., in addition to several U.S. competitors and other top talent from Canada, South Korea, the Netherlands, and elsewhere.
In addition to the competition, visitors can check out an expanded kids zone with bounce houses, a bungie jump, and more, a giant sandbox where professionals will teach kids how to craft the perfect sand creation, live entertainment from several bands, and gourmet food trucks out and about.
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A portion of proceeds will benefit local charities, including the Padres Foundation and e3 Civic High.
Tickets are available online and special pricing is available for active-duty military and public safety personnel. Tickets cost $10 for adults, $8 for seniors 62 and older, $6 for kids 2 to 12 years old, and are free for kids younger than 2 and under.
For more information, visit the event's website online.