Sand sculpture contest is key homecoming event

Contestants gather around event chair Ron Beeber of Pentwater during the awards program.

Story and photos contributed by Ron Beeber.

PENTWATER — Over 50 teams of families and friends are expected to turn out with their pails, shovels, water spritzers and shaping tools for the 42nd Pentwater Sand Sculpture Contest Friday, Aug. 14, from 8 a.m. to noon at Charles Mears State Park.

The Pentwater Service Club sponsors this fun event.

Pentwater Homecoming is set for Aug. 13-16. Detailed event schedule here

Sculpting skills are passed on to the next generation of contestants.

Registration is free and begins at 8 a.m. Judging begins at 11:15 a.m. At noon, trophies will be awarded to 21 sculptures judged to best reflect the “Senses of Summer” theme of this year’s Pentwater Homecoming celebration.  First, second and third-place trophies will be awarded in each of the seven categories: Immediate Family (includes grandparents, parents, children, grandchildren), Extended Family (includes aunts, uncles and cousins), and age groups (determined by the age of the oldest team member) 1-7, 8-10, 11-13, 14-16, 17 and over.

“Teams can get really creative with this year’s Homecoming theme,” said Service Club President Ron Christians. “With it being ‘Senses of Summer,’ I wouldn’t suggest that anyone sculpt a snowman,” he joked.  “But if the snowman is wearing sunglasses and sitting in a beach chair drinking lemonade, that design could be a winner!”

The higher Lake Michigan water level has shortened the length of shoreline at Mears State Park available to sand sculpting teams. To assure that sculptors have easy access to the water needed to keep their sand designs moist, teams are being asked this year to work within a length of Lake Michigan shoreline that’s no longer than the length of a full-size minivan. Designs can, however, stretch longer to the east toward the beach pavilion.

Free parking is available at Mears State Park for anyone with a State of Michigan Recreation Passport. For more information, check out “Pentwater Sand Sculpture Contest” on Facebook, go to www.serviceclub.org, or call 231.869.4668.

Another highlight event of the four-day celebration is the Homecoming Grand Parade Saturday, Aug. 15, at 4 p.m. Fireworks are Saturday at dusk.