Morecambe to host its third Sandcastle Festival
Head to the beach for two days of fun on August 15 and 16.
Morecambe’s third annual Sandcastle Festival, which celebrates the revival of the resort’s golden beaches, is this year extending from a one-day event to two full days.
Organised by Lancaster City Council over the weekend of August 15 and 16, the festival encourages visitors to rediscover the simple pleasures of sandcastle building and enjoy a free weekend of seaside fun.
All entertainment and activities take place on the beach and promenade in the vicinity of the popular Eric Morecambe statue which, this month, celebrated the 10th anniversary of its unveiling by Her Majesty The Queen.
On the prom four of Europe’s leading professional sand artists will create an array of expertly crafted sculptures, starting on the Saturday morning, with completion on Sunday afternoon.
The works will feature mermaids and marine creatures, the notorious Mr Punch and King of Comedy Ken Dodd – who will bring the festival to a close with a sell-out show at The Platform on the Sunday evening.
The nearby Grand Variety Theatre marquee, located on the beach, also operates over the full weekend, providing the best of seaside entertainment. On Saturday the timber-shivering adventure of Treasure Island is presented by Inner State Theatre Co, followed by The Pavilion Pierrots show on the Sunday.
The marquee is also the venue for traditional seaside Punch and Judy, performed by local puppeteer, Martin Scott Price, who first performed the show on Morecambe seafront more than 30 years ago.
The crowning glory of the weekend is the Morecambe Super Sandcastle Competition, which starts at 11am on the Sunday.
Teams can comprise up to four members and there are categories for adults (16 and over), older children (aged up to 16) and younger children (10 and under). The winning adults team will win a cash prize of £100 and the top children’s teams will receive £50 gift vouchers. Ice cream, meal vouchers and free rides on the promenade train are on offer for runners-up. Children’s teams must be supervised by someone aged over 18 who can advise but not participate.
Teams need to register between 9am and 10.45am on the day and there are 50 competition plots available, on a first-come, first-served basis.
The city council’s Play Rangers are taking to the beach too.
On Saturday, they will be helping would-be competitors to practice their sandcastle building skills and prepare for the next day’s competition – just turn up and expect some useful advice and handy hints!
On Sunday, the Rangers invite those not taking part in the competition, to join them in beach games.
Reflecting the fact that the festival falls in National Marine Week, it is hoped that several marine conservation organisations will be present, with stands and displays, demonstrating their work.
Full information, including Sandcastle Competition details, is contained in a free programme, available from Morecambe and Lancaster Visitor Information Centres (Tel. 01524 582808) or visit www.lancaster.gov.uk.
The 2009 Morecambe Bay Sandcastle Festival is supported by: VolkerStevin; Morecambe Superbowl; Punch Pub Company (Station Promenade pub) and Apollo Cinema, Morecambe.
Date Updated: 03/08/09