Don't miss the 22nd Annual AIA Sandcastle Competition, Saturday, May 31st, at East Beach.

For two decades, Houston area architects, designers, engineers and contractors have taken their tools to East Beach in Galveston for what is considered one of the world's largest sandcastle competitions. The Houston Chapter of the American Institute of Architects (AIA) sponsors this annual contest where some 80 teams have their eyes (and shovels) set on winning the prestigious "Golden Bucket" award.

Firms begin months in advance generating ideas, developing designs, and assigning duties. On the day of the event, the teams stretch along the beach meticulously sculpting their sand piles and working non-stop for five hours. Many of the designs are so intricate and complicated that some teams use large formwork systems, mechanized tampers, and water pumping systems. The judging of the sandcastles is rated on originality of concept, artistic execution of the concept, technical difficulty, carving technique, and utilization of the site.

At the end of the day, everyone goes home with memories of a great day on the beach filled with fun, sun, sand, and sea.

For more information regarding the SandCastle Competition, please contact the AIA Houston office at 713-520-0155.

Schedule of Events...

About East Beach...

Galveston's East Beach is the coolest and biggest beach in Texas. Famous for its great beach parties, East Beach has major outdoor concerts, special events, promotions, bikini contests, live bands, and other activities that are described in the Galveston.com calendar of events.

Unlike most beaches, drinking is legal on East Beach.

Facilities include an outdoor pavilion with a snack bar, gift shop, showers, game room, and volleyball courts.

Chairs and umbrellas are available for rent on weekends May thru August. East Beach is "Houston's Playground," located just 45 minutes south of the fourth largest city in America. So come get down, get funky and get loose on Galveston Island's East Beach. Mingle with the crowd or slip away to a quiet spot and chill out.

East Beach holds about 7,000 cars on a huge wide open beach and is a perfect setting for ticketed outdoor concerts and festivals. East Beach welcomes national and local promoters, advertisers and beach enthusiasts.