What do Egyptian monuments, a pug-themed pumpkin patch, and nesting sea turtles have in common? They’re the designs that earned top prizes at the Cannon Beach Sand Castle Contest, which returned to the Oregon Coast this past weekend for its 59^th annual run.

The stunning exhibitions of sand sculpting far surpassed plastic-shovel-and-pale castles—and, well, castles. The judges showed preference for complex, multitiered forms instead, such as a cat perched on a throne decorated in hieroglyphics. Quirk reigned, with winning creations including "Pugkin Patch" and "Hair to the Throne," all featuring only items naturally found on the beach.

The contest went virtual in 2020 and 2021, and has been rebounding in participant and crowd numbers. “It was really cool having a lot of energy out on the beach within every division,” says Sierra Spindler, marketing manager for the Cannon Beach Chamber of Commerce. "And the weather was perfect."

The contest breaks contestants into competitive divisions, from kids under age 6, called "Sand Fleas," to "Masters," pro sandcastle builders with up to five hours to build, who sometimes use wooden molds to create the bases of their structures. Here are the winners for each of  division:

Masters

Large Group

Small Group 

The 60th anniversary contest will take place June 15, 2024. Interested? Consider booking now: rentals and hotels in Cannon Beach fill up as far as a year in advance.