Don't put away your buckets and shovels just yet. A Rockaway competition is challenging locals to make works of art using sand.
The Rockaway Times and the Parks Department are bringing back the Sand Castle Contest to the peninsula this Saturday. The contest previously took place on the beach for nearly 17 years, but has not been held in the last two years.
Residents of all ages are encouraged to participate. And even though it's called a sand “castle” contest, participants over the years have built everything from dragons to dolphins.
“Rockaway is full of a lot of artistic people, a lot of creative types, so it's something that is right up their alley,” said organizer Katie McFadden. “We're hoping that some people who have artistic ability, and even those who don't, will come out here and give it a try.”
Registration for the Rockaway Sand Castle Contest begins Saturday at 11:00am on Beach 116th Street.