Carmel Beach Sandcastle Contest

For decades, the City of Carmel-by-the-Sea and the Monterey Bay chapter of the American Institute of Architects have collaborated on The Great Sand Castle Contest, announcing the date and theme a few weeks before the big day. Everyone who would like to build a castle can enter the contest, and judges bestow awards for multiple categories, from the coveted Golden Shovel, to the tongue-in-cheek Sour Grapes. And because bribery (non-monetary) is encouraged, it’s not unusual to see platters of food, bottles of wine, chair massages and other indulgences being offered to the people in charge. The co