Beauties, Beasts and a Four-Year-Old: Our Day at Parksville Beachfest

Every summer, Vancouver Island gives families approximately one million reasons to pack too many snacks, load up the car and head out for an adventure. One event that always earns a spot on our summer list is the Parksville Beach Festival, or “Beachfest,” as the locals call it.

The festival runs for 5½ weeks and includes concerts, buskers, family activities and special evenings when the sculptures are lit up after dark. The biggest attraction, however, is the Quality Foods Sand Sculpting Competition and Exhibition.

This year, I visited with my four-year-old daughter and my mother-in-law. Three generations, 22 incredible sculptures and three very different opinions about which one deserved the People’s Choice vote.

Basically, it was our own tiny judging panel. Nobody asked for our credentials, but we took the responsibility very seriously.

The 2026 Theme: Beauties & Beasts

The theme for 2026 was Beauties & Beasts, and the sculptors did not hold back.

The sculptures ranged from sweet and beautiful to fierce, strange and slightly unsettling, in the best possible way. There were dragons, monsters, mysterious figures and creations that made us stop and study every tiny detail.

The competition took place from July 9th - 12th, and the finished sculptures are on display from July 13th - August 16th. Visitors have plenty of time to see them, although weekdays and earlier mornings may be a little less busy if you prefer to admire your sand monsters without peeking over someone else’s sunhat. We visited on a Thursday and had plenty of room and time to view the sculptures.

Thirty professional sculptors from around the world spent 30 hours transforming 255 cubic yards of sand into 22 works of art. And yes, they are made using sand and water.

Meanwhile, we’re still trying to figure out how to remove a plastic bucket from a sandcastle without taking the entire structure with it.

Sadly, Some of the Sculptures Were Damaged

Unfortunately, several sculptures were vandalized shortly after the competition began. Four of the double sculptures were damaged, along with the large themed display near the entrance.

The artists came together and worked hard to make repairs so the exhibition could continue. By the time many visitors arrived, the sculptures had been restored, although some could not be returned to quite the same level of completion they had originally reached.

It was heartbreaking to think about so much work being destroyed, especially when sand sculptures are already temporary and delicate. The way the artists supported one another and got back to work made the finished exhibition feel even more special.

Visiting With a Four-Year-Old: The Sequel

Last year’s Beachfest visit involved quite a lot of chasing, redirecting and reminding my toddler that the loose sand on the ground was not technically the main attraction.

She was far more interested in burying her voting token than choosing a sculpture. At one point, she had her butt in the air, her hands deep in the sand and absolutely no concern for the people attempting to walk around her.

This year, she was four, and what a difference a year made.

She actually looked at the sculptures. She noticed the little details. She had questions. Most importantly, she understood that the ropes were not merely gentle suggestions.

Was it a peaceful, leisurely gallery experience? Let’s not get carried away.

But she was much better behaved, genuinely interested and excited to choose her favourite. We left without anyone attempting to climb a sculpture or bury an important piece of the voting process, so we’re calling it a roaring success.

Three Generations, Three Favourite Sculptures

One of the most entertaining parts of the exhibition is receiving a token at the gate and using it to vote for your favourite sculpture for the People’s Choice Award.

You might assume that three people attending together would help one another narrow down the options.

We did not.

Nanna’s Pick: “Daddy’s Little Monster”

My mother-in-law chose Daddy’s Little Monster, created by solo artist Thomas Koet from the United States.

The sculpture featured a tough-looking biker dad holding his little monster of a daughter. Despite his intimidating appearance, the scene was surprisingly sweet, which was part of its charm. A beast on the outside, a softie when it came to his little girl.

Apparently, the other sculptors agreed with her excellent taste. “Daddy’s Little Monster” placed fifth in the solo competition and also received the Solo Competitors’ Choice Award.

It was tough, tender and a little cheeky. Nanna had made her decision.

My Daughter’s Pick: “Embrace Yourself”

Emsley chose Embrace Yourself, although her decision may have been influenced less by its deeper artistic meaning and more by the “amethyst” shapes covering it.

At four, sparkling purple-crystal-looking shapes are a perfectly valid judging criterion.

She spotted them, loved them and confidently selected her winner. No lengthy debate required. Art critics everywhere could learn something from her decisiveness.

My Pick: “Gentle Guardian”

My favourite was Gentle Guardian, featuring a young girl sitting cross-legged with a horned dragon curled beneath her.

The girl gently rested her hand on the dragon, making the massive creature feel protective rather than frightening. There was something magical about the contrast between the small, peaceful girl and the powerful beast guarding her.

It was sweet, dramatic and a little bit fantasy-book-meets-anime, which was the exact combination needed to win my vote. It gave baby Manon and Abraxos vibes (my fantasy book girlies will get it).

Three generations. Three tokens. Three completely different favourites.

What Families Should Know

Admission to the exhibition is by a suggested donation of $5 per person. Proceeds help support the festival and local non-profit groups whose volunteers assist as gate ambassadors. The volunteers were amazing, friendly and happy to take photos for visitors.

The exhibition is located inside a large sand pit. Organizers pack the surface down, but it can still be uneven for strollers, wheelchairs or anyone with mobility challenges. A manual wheelchair and motorized scooter are available on-site.

Quieter viewing times are generally between 9:30 and 11 a.m. or 6 and 8:30 p.m. Weekends tend to be busier, so visiting during the week is a great option if your schedule allows.

Animals are not permitted inside the exhibition, apart from trained service animals.

There is also an “I Spy” activity to encourage kids to examine the sculptures more closely. It’s a cute addition for children who need a little extra motivation to slow down and look, or for adults who enjoy a competitive scavenger hunt but would prefer not to admit it.

Make a Full Day of It

One of the best things about Beachfest is its location inside Parksville Community Park. Once you finish viewing the sculptures, you can easily add the playground, splash park and beach to your day.

Lions Ventureland Playground is one of the best family playgrounds on Vancouver Island. It has swings, mini trampolines, equipment for different ages and a splash area for hot summer afternoons.

The wide beach is also perfect for letting the kids attempt their own sand sculptures after seeing what the professionals created.

Will your child produce a detailed dragon with individually carved scales?

Probably not.

Will they build half a mound, dig a random hole beside it and proudly insist that it is a castle?

Almost certainly.

There are also food vendors, buskers, concerts and other activities happening throughout Beachfest, so check the official event schedule before you visit.

The Parksville Beach Festival sand sculptures continue to be one of our favourite Vancouver Island summer traditions.

This year’s Beauties & Beasts theme gave us plenty to admire, discuss and occasionally stare at while wondering, “How did someone make that out of sand?”

The vandalism at the beginning of the exhibition was incredibly disappointing, but the artists’ determination to repair the damaged sculptures meant families could still experience their work. Even if a few pieces weren’t quite as complete as they had been initially, the exhibition remained absolutely worth seeing.

Our visit also showed us just how much can change in one year. Last summer, my daughter wanted to play in the sand beneath the artwork. This summer, she studied the sculptures, chose a favourite and cast her vote, based largely on “amethysts,” but still. Progress is progress.

Between the incredible artwork, the gorgeous waterfront setting and my daughter’s rapidly developing career as a crystal-focused art critic, it was another memorable day at Beachfest.