South Padre Island Sand Castle Days

Each October, some of the world’s best sand sculptors head to South Padre Island for the annual Sand Castle Days, a weekend-long sand castle building extravaganza. What started as a tiny event two decades ago has since blossomed into one of the most prestigious sand art events in the United States.

Although the professional sculptors create some truly amazing designs and are still the main draw, recent years has seen the event expand its realm to include amateurs, kids and families. In fact, the event even offers free sand castle building lessons to help inexperienced sculptors get in on the action.

In addition to sand castle building and the sand castle competition, there is kite flying activities, arts and craft displays, an environmental education area, and the famous “South Texas Snowball Toss.” So, whether you are anxious to dig in the sand or prefer to just stroll upon the shore and take it all in, Sand Castle Days is definitely an event you want to make plans to attend. The 2007 edition is slated for Oct. 13-20.