The sixth annual Sun & Sea Festival was a rousing success. Besides the best sandcastle carving competition for adults and kids in San Diego County, the family-friendly event featured a parade, live entertainment and a kid’s zone which kept visitors entertained throughout the day at the City of Imperial Beach’s largest annual event.

The winning sculptors are:

Masters Class: Professional Sand Carvers
First Place: I.B. Posse  (Everyday Heroes)
Second Place:  Sandytales   (Dreaming)
Third Place:  The Coronado Sandcastle Man  (Rebels & The Resistance)
People’s Choice: Sculpintures  (Titan’s Collide)

Open Class: Family and Business Sand Carvers
First Place: Sculpintures  (Titan’s Collide)
Second Place: Howie’s Crew  (Gotham City)
Third Place: Guardians of the Sand Lot  (Scooby-Do)

Kids ‘N Kastles Winners Sponsored by the Imperial Beach Optimist Club

Superhero Theme Winner: 
Team IB Dolphins  (Super Wonder-maid)   

Creatures of the Sea Theme
First Place:  Team Rockstars  (Narwhal)           
Second Place: Team SandBlasters  (Narwhal)                      
Third Place: Team Sea Kings  (Shamu)               

 Sandcastle/Sculptures Theme
First Place:  Team Sandpack  (Castle)          
Second Place: Team Sunburns  (Sculpture)                      
Third Place: TJ Aliens  (Hat) 

(photo credit: Bryan Brillhart)

Vera Cruz Blues: 10:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. 
In 2013, Vera Cruz Blues came together as a band that combines the cultures of both sides of the border while keeping a true Soulful Afro-Latino essence. This band has a multicultural background and influences rooted to México, Veracruz, Latin-America, Spain, Middle-East, United States and California with a strong Afro-Mestizo identity and Soul. VeraCruz Blues “Latin Music with Soul” has taken the Afro-Cuban, Spanish, Middle East, Latin-American, Tradicional Mexican, and Jarocho rhythms, impacted by the “American Dream” experiences and struggles, and become one of the most popular bands in the music scene in San Diego. Led by Eduardo Parra (guitar and vocals) and Miguel Lopez (on Harp), their sound combines the best of rhythm and melody, a balance of unique Latin Bluesy style along with Percussions, and Bass, get ready to be taken to a new place a cross border balance of sound. www.facebook.com/VeracruzBlues/

Tyler Boone: 11:45 a.m. to 12:45 p.m.
Tyler Boone grew up in the Lowcountry of Charleston, SC. Boone first became enamored with the small club rock scene and slowly started making his way headlining major music venues, gaining traction on the radio waves all across the country & over 13 countries which has led him to open for some incredible talent and becoming an official Taylor Guitars endorsed artist. Boone is currently touring to promote his critically acclaimed new single, “Short Skirt, Bare Knees” (considered for a rock nomination for the 2018 Grammy’s). He has opened for such acts as Grammy award winning artist Sheryl Crow, The Avett Brothers, Christopher Cross, Hootie and the Blowfish, Old Crow Medicine Show, Platinum selling artist Edwin McCain, Zach Myers of Shinedown, The Revivalists, The Marcus King Band, Dr. John, & also American Idol Winner David Cook & Lee DeWyze, just to name a few.  His new record will debut July 5 at the famous Summerfest in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. For more information www.tylerboonemusic.com or www.facebook.com/tylerboonemusic/

Bayou Brothers: 1:00 p.m. to 2:15 p.m.
The Bayou Brothers started in 1995 with a shared love of Cajun and Zydeco music by founder John Chambers, on accordion and keyboards, and Ric Lee, laying down Zydeco and Cajun dance grooves on the drums. Throughout the last 15 years, they have been playing their music at festivals and concerts venues all over the southwest and are well known for their rowdy shows, bluesy Zydeco that drives the band and fans Zydeco dance crazy. Adding to the Bayou Brothers sound is sax and percussionist Thom Pod. www.bayoubrothers.net
 

Layne and the New Nation: 2:45 p.m. to 4 p.m.   
Versatile, multitalented, flexible, and inspiring are just a few words to describe Layne Tadesse, a seasoned artist who has performed for audiences around the world. As a live performer, his presence is electric with his trademark A Capella musical intros. He credits his family for his early musical influences, which are deeply rooted in Reggae music. He is a multitalented and diverse artist who can transcend different genres of music with ease. He brings a group of professional musicians and tailors each show to fit every audience. He is dedicated to giving back to community organizations and seeks to use his music as a platform for change. www.facebook.com/LayneTadesseMusic/

Sun & Sea Festival organizers are seeking Imperial Beach-based business vendors as well as artisans to sell handmade items at the one-day, family-friendly and no alcohol event. Beach related businesses are also of special interest for this year’s event. The vendor area for this year’s Sun & Sea Festival will be Pier Plaza and the adjacent beach and along Seacoast Drive from Pier Plaza to Dunes Park.

“For this year’s festival we want to show the best of Imperial Beach with local vendors alongside some of the vendors we look for every year,” said Shirley Nakawatase, event co-chair. “We are seeking quality vendors who are a good fit for our beach town. And we have worked to provide a one-stop, easy online application where vendors can apply and pay for their booths.” Local Imperial Beach Businesses receive a 25% discount off the appropriate fee based on type of vendor booth and date of application. To apply: http://sunandseafestival.com/vendor-application-request/

Open food booths or food trucks: Those serving dishes that are authentic and nutritious quality food or international flavors are a good fit. Organizers prefer healthy, family alternatives but there will be a balance of vendors to avoid duplication. The one-day fees are as follows: “Early Bird” fee from now until May 1 is $680; “Regular Fees” from May 2 through June 23 is $725; and “Late Entry” fee from June 24 through July 10 is $800.

Pre-packaged food vendors: “Early Bird” fee from now until May 1 is $555; “Regular Fees” from May 2 through June 23 is $600; and “Late Entry” fee from June 24 through July 10 is $675.

Commercial Goods & Services: “Early Bird” fee from now until May 1 is $555; “Regular Fees” from May 2 through June 23 is $600; and “Late Entry” fee from June 24 through July 10 is $650.

Handmade Artisans:  Artists who make their own crafts produce one-of-a-kind items are attractive to festival organizers. The handmade Artisan booths will also be scattered around the festival area and kept in balance so that the handmade items will not be competing with each other. The one-day fees are as follows: “Early Bird” fee from now until May 1 is $160; “Regular Fees” from May 2 through June 23 is $160; and “Late Entry” fee from June 24 through July 10 is $200.

Non-Profit Organizations: There will be a limited number of non-profit booths available with the final decision made by the Sun & Sea Festival committee. The one-day fee is $100. Please apply with the regular vendor application. 

Vendors can apply online at the Sun & Sea Festival website. Submit application and payment online or print the PDF document and mail it through the U.S. Post Office. Children-specific items should be identified as there is a kids zone area.

Questions: vendors@sunandseafestival.com , fax: 619/793-4715

Sun & Sea Festival 2018 will take place July 14

The Sun and Sea Festival Committee has just started to plan for next year’s festival to be held on Saturday July 14, 2018. Committee Chairs are seeking local volunteers to join the committee to help produce the largest special event in Imperial Beach. The 2018 theme is Super Heroes in the Sand.

“There is a special camaraderie in this committee as we like to work hard and have fun as well,” said Shirley Nakawatase, co-chair. “We have a couple of key positions to fill for 2018 –an organized person to manage the volunteer teams, and an artistic-type person to lead the sandcastle judges. We have procedures and committee members who can help the new volunteers.”  

The Festival committee meets at 6 p.m. once a month on a Monday until June when meetings become more frequent. The meeting location is the Community Room at City Hall.  Volunteers are expected to attend the monthly meetings and be available on the festival weekend of Friday, July 13 and Saturday, July 14. Those interested can contact us via the website http://sunandseafestival.com/  or call Shirley Nakawatase at 619-787-7093

Event Snapshot

Saturday, July 14, 2018: 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.

• 9 am – 10 am: The Parade
• 8 am – 2:00 pm: Master Sand Sculptures Created north of the pier
• 10 am – 5 pm: Sun & Sea Festival held along Seacoast Drive with Kid’s Zone at Dunes Park
• 11 am – Parade Competition Awards at Pier Plaza Stage
• Noon – 1:30 pm: Kids ‘n Kastles Sand-Building Competition adjacent to Dune’s Park
• 2 pm – 4 pm: Sandcastle Judging: Best time to view castles
• 4 pm – 5 pm: Sandcastle Awards Ceremony at Pier Plaza

Friday, July 13, 2018

• 8 am – 10am –Mayor’s 3rd Annual Imperial Beach Pier Swim & Paddle (Pier Plaza Lifeguard Tower)

• 8 am –3k Beach Walk/Run starting at the Pier.
• 10 am – 11 am –Mayor’s Breakfast at Pier Plaza
• Noon – Dusk –Exhibition Sandcastle on Display