Galveston Sandcastle Festival Attracts Thousands with Harry Potter and Minecraft Creations

Annual Sandcastle Festival at Galveston’s East Beach

Thousands of people gathered at Galveston’s East Beach on Saturday for the annual Sandcastle Festival, a beloved event that draws both participants and spectators. The festival featured 27 teams, most of which were professional architecture firms, competing for the prestigious Gold Bucket Award. With timekeepers counting down in 15-minute increments, architects worked tirelessly to carve, drill, and shape their creations. Meanwhile, spectators enjoyed the spectacle, sipping cold drinks and marveling at the intricate designs.

Gyssel Salinas, a design professional from Houston-based Ziegler Cooper, described the event as “very fun—and very intense.” Her team was working on “Indiana Jones and the Golden Banana,” a playful take on the iconic movie series, featuring a snarling monkey and a towering temple. As the defending champions, Ziegler Cooper aimed to add another Gold Bucket to their collection, already displayed in the firm’s reception area.

World Record Set by Galveston's Seawall

This year, the festival also made headlines when Galveston’s seawall broke the Guinness World Record for the longest walkway. The record-breaking achievement highlighted the city’s commitment to community events and infrastructure.

The competition challenges architects to transform a standardized 15 cubic yards of sand into an intricate design within five hours. After contestants finish at 3 p.m., judges evaluate each creation based on originality, technical difficulty, and carving technique. The sandcastles remain on display through Sunday, allowing visitors to admire the artistry. The two-day festival also includes an amateur competition, live music, and family-friendly activities.

Creativity Meets Challenge

From 10 a.m. onward, architects focused on executing designs that often paid homage to popular culture. Notable entries included “Tex-opoly,” a play on Monopoly; “The Chamber of Sand,” inspired by “Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets”; and “Damsels and Dragons,” a nod to the online game Dungeons and Dragons. Some teams recreated famous landmarks, such as the Great Pyramids of Egypt and the Roman Colosseum.

Transforming sand into a sturdy structure requires careful planning and specialized tools. Most firms arrived at 6:30 a.m. to set up formwork—wooden scaffolding that holds the base of the castle in place. As the structures took shape, team members gradually removed wooden planks while spraying the sand with water to act as a binding agent. However, this process is not without its challenges.

Marvin Cuevas, a superintendent at Durotech General Contractors, shared how his team had to make adjustments during the event. Their “Winecraft” design—a boozy take on the video game “Minecraft”—had to be modified after some sections of sand crumbled.

College Teams and Community Involvement

In addition to professional firms, several college groups participated in the competition. Students from Rice University and Prairie View A&M were among the contenders. The PVAMU students were building a sand replica of the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial, using plans they had developed early in the school year.

Cole Patin, a senior at Prairie View A&M, said the experience was challenging but rewarding. “It’s a lot, but it’s fun,” he added.

Challenges and Memories

For some spectators, getting to East Beach proved to be a challenge. Traffic congestion caused delays, and shuttle services from Stewart Beach faced long wait times. Despite these obstacles, those who made it to the beach found the atmosphere uplifting.

Wanda Juarez, who attended the event for the first time in 15 years, called the festival “awesome.” Her favorite creation was “Shrek Island,” a unique take on the television show “Love Island,” praised for its realistic details. She and her friends had been on the beach since morning, watching the transformation of sand into art.

“They’re architects, so there’s a lot at stake here,” said Pam Hinsey. “It’s amazing.”

The Sandcastle Festival continues to bring communities together, showcasing creativity, teamwork, and dedication. Whether you're a participant or a spectator, the event offers a unique blend of art, competition, and fun.