The Parksville Sandcastle Competition has been a fixture of the community park at Parksville Beach since 1982.

The sculptures are made in mid-July and remain up for viewing until the middle of August each year. The sand isn’t from the nearby beach, but is a special sandcastle building product that is brought in just for the competition.

Beside the competition enclosure is a kids’ playground that is one of the best around.

Like Rathtrevor, Parksville Beach is about one kilometer long and the sand is hard packed. During the summer months the shallow bay is warmed by the sun, making it perfect for swimming. Food trucks and ice cream vendors set up shop during the day to cater to those who are visiting the beach or viewing the sand sculptures.

I’m not sure when, yet, but I expect the Jamiesons and Armstrongs will be visiting Parksville Beach at some point during their visit.