Councilwoman Ariola Carries on the Sandcastle Contest on Aug. 2

By Katie McFadden

The Rockaway Beach Sandcastle Contest is back! But this time, Councilwoman Joann Ariola is picking up the shovel and hosting, while NYC Parks and The Rockaway Times will lend a helping hand. On Saturday, August 2, National Sandcastle Day, bring your own pails and shovels and head to Beach 108th Street to get your hands sandy!

On Saturday, August 2, registration takes place from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. on Beach 108th, with the contest starting promptly at 11 a.m. Participants will have two hours to create a castle, or sculpture like a whale, a dragon or anything that comes to their imagination. After all, this contest will be judged on creativity, detail and originality. There will be three age categories including 9 and under, 10 to 18 and 19 and up, with first, second and third place prizes for the winners of each.

And there are some fabulous prizes to be won this year. NYC Parks will be providing small trophies. Plus several local businesses have donated gifts including Key Food, Boardwalk Bagel, Carvel, Rocco’s of Roc Beach, Happy Jack’s, Jack’s Corner, Stop and Shop, The Gift is Love, Callie’s, Pico, Mazzone Hardware, Meat Up Grill, Meat Market NYC, Bagel Barista Station, Rockaway Civic Association, which donated a Visa gift card, The Rockaway Hotel, a night’s stay at Rogers, and a Spa Rockaway gift card, plus Rockaway Times t-shirts. There will also be some giveaways on a first-come, first served basis. Ariola’s office is supplying popcorn and water, Madeleine’s Chocolate has supplied some fish-themed chocolates (which will be on ice), and The Rockaway Times will be giving away frisbees.

The judges this year will be Councilwoman Ariola herself, who served as a past judge for The Rockaway Times’ Sandcastle Contest, Rockaway Times managing editor Katie McFadden, who hosted the contest for seven years previously, and Harold Paez of The Rockaway Civic Association. They’ll have the tough job of coming up with a top three for each age category.
 
“This is something that has been a summer staple for a lot of people in Rockaway, and when I heard that this thirty-year-old tradition was in danger of fading away I knew I had to step in and preserve it,” Councilwoman Ariola said. “I’ve served as a judge for the contest in the past, and I’ve seen how much fun the participants have and how much real dedication and skill goes into some of the winning pieces. These people are truly artists, and it’s great to give them this kind of platform to show off their work and also give the community another event to come together around.”
 
“The annual Sandcastle Competition is another great Rockaway event that the community loves to participate in,” Harold Paez, President of the Rockaway Civic Association said. “Not only is it a chance to exhibit artistic talent and perseverance in building with sand; it is a reminder of how the child in us can always find happiness in getting back to what made us happy in childhood. What’s better than a sunny summer day, the sound of the ocean, a bucket full of sand, and imagination!”

“This is a longtime tradition that started decades ago with West End Realty. I was a regular participant as a child and was honored to start it up again in 2013 and host with The Rockaway Times, and I am happy to see Councilwoman Ariola continue this fun event for the community,” Katie McFadden said. “The Rockaway Times is proud to be a continued supporter. Saturday looks like it’s going to be the perfect day for it and I’m excited to see what participants come up with. Let’s get digging!”