Imperial Beach Sun & Sea Festival 

Master Sand Carvers Compete in Famed Contest to Celebrate the City’s 70th Birthday 

Sandcastles return to Imperial Beach. The Sun & Sea Festival hosts the city’s famous sandcastles with multi-award-winning professional sand carver teams competing for top prizes alongside a kids’ sandcastle competition named Sandcastle Smashdown on Saturday, July 18. This family-friendly free event also features a fun-filled street festival and live entertainment all day.

The festivities kick-off Friday night with the Sun & Sea Ball at Mike Hess Brewing in IB.

FRIDAY, JULY 17

• 8 am to Sunset – Mega Castle construction, Pier Plaza
• 10 am – Mayor’s Breakfast, Veteran’s Park
• 6 p.m. to 11 p.m. – Back to the 70s Sun & Sea Ball at Mike Hess Brewing 805 Ocean Ln, (at Seacoast Drive). Free admission, all ages welcome. DJ music, craft brews, and raffle prizes. A percentage of proceeds will be donated to the Sun and Sea Festival, a not-for-profit assn.

SATURDAY, JULY 18

Sandcastles at Portwood Pier Plaza

• 8 a.m. to sunset – Monument Castle
• 8 a.m. – Master Sandcastle Competition Starts (Awards at 4 p.m.)
• 10 a.m. – Kids Sandcastle Contest called Sandcastle Showdown starts (Awards at Noon)

Street Festival – Along Seacoast Drive

• 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.– Street Festival – A great selection of food, refreshments and crafts. Stop by to see the Oscar Meyer Wienermobile.

Main Stage Entertainment

• 10 a.m. to 10:30 a.m.– Win.dred –Band
• 10:30 a.m. – Opening Announcements
• 10:45 a.m. – MMA Demonstration by IB MMA
• 11:30 a.m. to Noon – Donut Eating Contest sponsored by CH Donuts – Open to the public
• Noon- Sandcastle Showdown Kids Contest Award Ceremony
• 12:30 p.m. to 1:30 p.m. – Fancy Faces – Classic Rock band
• 1:45 p.m. to 2:45 p.m. – Strange Brew – Classic Rock band
• 3 p.m. to 4 p.m. – Scam Likely Band – IB locals play covers and originals
• 4 p.m. Master Sandcastle Awards Ceremony
• 5 p.m. to 6 p.m. – Someday Bloom – Latin rock and Reggae

Sun & Sea major sponsors include: City of Imperial Beach, The Port of San Diego, and Imperial Beach Pet Hospital & Urgent Care. Special thanks also to, BocoRio, Cathy Clamp at HomeInIB and Neighborhood Bank, among others.