Morecambe Sandcastle Festival 2012
Sandcastle Entry from 2011
Thousands of people got themselves into the Olympic spirit and ventured down to the golden sands of Morecambe beach to visit the resorts Sandcastle Festival.
The event, which was organised by Lancaster City Council and sponsored by Broadoak Leisure Buildings of Torrisholme, www.broadoakleisurebuildings.co.uk took place over two days (Saturday and Sunday, 9 and 10 June) and provided visitors with a free weekend of seaside fun.
The town was packed with people enjoying the free entertainment on offer.
Europe's leading professional sand artists, 'Sand in your Eye' www.sandinyoureye.co.uk created an array of expertly crafted sculptures, whilst Tall Will, the bubbleman extraordinaire, impressed everyone with his mix of bubble magic!
Batala Samba Beat Band
Over at the Winter Gardens guests enjoyed a trip down memory lane at the Vintage Village Hall Tea Room, www.thevintagevillagehall.co.uk enjoying cream teas, music and vintage fashions.
There was also music from samba band Batala, talks and book signings by the Queen's Guide to the Sands, Cedric Robinson, and even donkey rides.
Staff from Morecambe's award winning Visitor Information Centre were kept busy during the weekend and dealt with 770 enquiries.
Coun Ron Sands, Cabinet member with responsibility for tourism said "The Sandcastle Festival is always one of my highlights of the festival season - it just goes to show how much fun you can have with a bucket and spade!
"It was a wonderful weekend and it was great to see Morecambe so busy and packed with so many people, especially families, enjoying themselves.
"My personal congratulations go to the winners - the standard of entries is always high and this year was no exception."
The judges had a hard task on their hands as they struggled to decide between the entries - the winning team from each category won a £50 cash prize with gold, silver and bronze medals handed out on the podium in true Olympic style.
The Strong family from Kendal came out tops in the Families/Under 12s category, with Ruth and Jeremy Street from Stratford-upon-Avon winning the Open category.
The reults were:
Family/Under 12s category
1st: Team Strong
2nd: It's All Greek to Me
3rd: Neo
Open category
1st: Street's Ahead
2nd: And Then There Was One
3rd: Team Duffy
- View photos from this year's festival on Flickr
The Sandcastle Festival was just one of the great events taking place this summer in the Lancaster district. For more information on forthcoming events visit www.lancaster.gov.uk/whatson