The Sandcastle Competition is back – bigger and better than ever! Read about our exciting updates:
AIA Sandcastle Competition Expands to 2-Day Galveston Sandcastle Festival
The American Institute of Architects and La Izquierda Fest Partner to Enrich the Annual AIA Sandcastle Competition with Music, Vendors, and Family-Friendly Activities at East Beach.
The beloved AIA Sandcastle Competition is back at Galveston Island’s East Beach for the 37th year with 40 teams of architects designing monumental structures using only sand and water. The event has now expanded to two days called the Galveston Sandcastle Festival, a celebration filled with sandcastles designed and built by architects, live music from local and regional bands, local vendors, and family-friendly activities. AIA Houston has partnered with La Izquierda Fest, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to enriching the communities of Galveston and the Gulf Coast through surf, the arts, and fostering local culture to bring this expanded experience to life.
Scheduled for September 21 and 22, this year’s festival promises to be a weekend full of sandcastles, music, art, food, drinks, and family-friendly activities that will delight attendees of all ages.
This year, La Izquierda will bring an impressive lineup of local and regional bands, showcasing the best of Galveston and the Gulf Coast’s musical talent. The 2024 Sandcastle Festival Band Line-up includes:
Saturday:
● GALVEZTON
● India Tigers in Texas
● Kevin Anthony and G-town
● DELADY
● Austin Gaston
● Girl Bouy
● Karankawa
● Marching Thunder
Sunday:
● Dem Roots Music
● Oje Band
● Youth Soul Love
● Songs For Lila
● Raa’ Tansiel
● Pachuco Boogie Sound System
Visitors can immerse themselves in local sounds and flavors while exploring a huge vendor market featuring makers, gifts, artists, crafts, and more. Beer lovers will appreciate offerings from the legendary Galveston Island Brewing.
Sunday brings new programming for festival veterans, including a Sunday Brunch with food trucks, drinks, and vendors from 10 am to 6 pm. Enjoy live music all day, a Bloody Mary contest- the Beachside Bloody Mary Battle- and a brunch bar with mimosas and bloody marys in the VIP area. A highlight of Sunday’s events is the first-ever locals’ Sandcastle Building contest for individual builders.
Schedule
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 21ST:
- 6:30AM – Beach opens for Sandcastle teams & sponsors ONLY
- 10:00AM -Gates open to public *Early arrivals will NOT be able to enter until this time*
- 10:00AM – 3:00PM – AIA Sandcastle Teams Compete and build!
- 10:00AM – Vendor Village Opens + Live Music Begins on The Main Stage + Castle Creation Kid Zone (Till 4PM) + Solar Cooking Demonstration (Till 4PM)
- 11:00AM | 1:00PM | 3:00PM – Sandcastle Building Lessons from a Pro
- 1:00PM – 4:00PM – Public Favorite Voting
- 3:00PM – 4:00PM – Judging
- 5:00PM – Awards
- 5:00PM – 9:00PM – Live Music Continues on The Main Stage
SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 22ND:
- 10:00AM – Gates open to public, Live Music, Vendor Village, and sandcastle viewing all day
- 11:00AM– Activities, contests, and family fun on the beach
- 6:00PM – Doors close
More Info
“La Izquierda Fest is excited to bring the local magic to this already popular creative island event,” says Robert Kuhn, Executive Director and musician at La Izquierda Fest. “We’re thrilled to bring art and music to the beach, and we have a lineup that will be a perfect accompaniment to the artistry going on in the sand.”
The festival will take place on September 21 and 22, with tickets for the full weekend priced at just $10, and free entry for kids 11 and under. Doors open at 10 am both days. Sandcastle building begins at 10am on Saturday and concludes at 3PM, with AIA’s Sandcastle contest winners announced around 5 pm. Live music will continue until nightfall Saturday. Doors close at 6 pm on Sunday, and you can view the Sandcastle creations all Sunday.
About AIA: The American Institute of Architects is the non-profit, professional association for architects. In addition to the Sandcastle Competition, AIA operates Architecture Center Houston, an event and exhibition space in downtown Houston and has programs for exploring architecture and design in and around the Houston area including neighborhood tours, an annual home tour, lectures, scholarship programs and an annual Gingerbread Build-Off each December.
About La Izquierda Fest: La Izquierda Fest is a nonprofit organization dedicated to enriching the communities of Galveston and the Gulf Coast through surf, the arts, and fostering local culture. Known for hosting events like La Izquierda Fest, an annual surf contest and music festival, La Izquierda Fest brings people together through art and music, free summer concert series, and various community events.
Go to www.GalvestonSandcastleFestival.com to get your tickets and learn more.
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