The annual AIA’s Galveston Sandcastle Festival will take place on September 13 and 14 at East Beach in Galveston. More than 25 teams of professional and amateur sculptors will compete for the Golden Bucket Award, with entries judged on originality, technique, and design. The event will also include food trucks, vendors, and live performances, with Jessica Antonelli of La Izquierda Fest stating, “We’ve got over 15 bands that are going to be playing live, original music from Galveston and the local area, as well as a thriving vendor market,” as reported by KHOU.
According to Houston Public Media, the event includes measures to remind festival-goers about eco-consciousness. The AIA is implementing strict waste management rules, with a $100 fine for noncompliance. "We are in Galveston, it is a public beach, so people are gonna be able to go on and off on the grounds," said Erick Cross, a representative of the AIA Houston chapter. "So, I would say we're sticking to what Galveston Island has in place and their structure on cleanliness."
The Galveston Sandcastle Festival is adding a 'Most Sustainable Team' event in partnership with 811 Call and Click Before You Dig, encouraging teams to maintain clean operations. AIA Houston Chapter CEO Rusty Bienvenue told Houston Public Media, "We've had previous contestants use fossil fuel generators during the competition. And that's not okay." The festival is also a fundraiser for the AIA, with adult admission priced at $25 for the weekend and free entry for children 12 and under.
