The U.S. Sand Sculpting Challenge & Dimensional Art Exposition Returns To San Diego From Saturday, August 31 - Monday, September 2

August 4, 2019

Hailed as one of the best Labor Day events in the country, the U.S. Sand Sculpting Challenge and Dimensional Art Exposition returns to San Diego’s downtown waterfront for three days of sun, family-fun and spectacular scenery from Saturday, August 31 through Monday, September 2.

San Diego’s largest Labor Day weekend celebration is one of the world’s most prominent sand sculpting competitions in the world. The U.S. Sand Sculpting Challenge & Dimensional Art Exposition is the focal point of activities that draws over 200,000 visitors to the beautiful Embarcadero and Broadway cruise ship pier. A dozen world master sand sculptors will converge to create museum-quality sculptures reaching up to 15 feet tall and weighing over 20,000 pounds. In addition, three teams of four will recreate the U.S. Open Sandcastle Competition that ran from 1980-2011. In all, there will be more than 20 amazing sand sculptures. The theme for this year’s event is "Wonder" which pays tribute to the Port’s Wonderfront 2019 campaign. Sculptors will interpret this theme as they wish, from ephemeral ideas like "curiosity" to the greatest wonders of the world, or even whimsical renditions of Stevie Wonder or Wonder Woman.

The annual Dimensional Art Exposition runs alongside the Sand Sculpting Challenge. Artists from as far away as New Mexico and Montana exhibit and sell their amazing one-of-a-kind creations. Visitors can browse more than 2,000 items such as hand-made clothing and accessories, wood carvings and metal designs, beautiful gourds, glass art, jewelry, quilled greeting cards, ceramics and much more -- dimensional art they can take home. There will also be a kid zone, featuring sandcastle building lessons from master sculptors, and rides such as European Bungie, Bubble Fun, Bounce Houses and more. Families can picnic on the bay with food and drink from over a dozen gourmet food trucks and vendors including Cousins Maine Lobster, Eat Your Heart Out, The Habit Burger Grille, Matheny’s Wagon Works, Lolita’s Mexican Food, Sophia’s Kitchen, Pomodoro Rosso, Kettle Masters Kettle Korn, Cruising Cones, Goodness Baked Cookie Co., Old School Shave Ice, Maui Wowi and more. There will also be live entertainment from bands paying tribute to the Beatles, Beach Boys, Dylan, Journey and even Elvis on Saturday and Sunday nights.

Tickets to the U.S. Sand Sculpting Challenge & Dimensional Art Exposition are available online through August  10 for $12 for adults, $10 for seniors, and $8 for kids 2-12 years old. Kids under 2, as well as active duty military, EMT’s, fire and police are free. There is also a VIP package that includes weekend-long admission, cut-the-line privileges, very special shaded seating section in the middle of the bay, 2 free drinks, free Habit Burger post-event coupon, and upgraded facilities for $35.

For more information and to purchase tickets, visit ussandsculpting.com.