2019 AIA Sandcastle Competition

The 2019 AIA Sandcastle Competition will take place Aug. 24, 2019 at Galveston's East Beach. (Photo: Rhonda Lowe) 

More than 50 teams will compete for the prestigious American Institute of Architects' Sandcastle Competition Golden Bucket Award. During the 2019 AIA Sandcastle Competition, teams will meticulously sculpt their piles of sand and work nonstop for five hours.

The judging of the sculptures is rated on originality of concept, artistic execution, technical difficulty, carving technique, and utilization of the site.

The AIA SandCastle Competition is a fundraising event for American Institute of Architects Houston and Architecture Center Houston Foundation as well as one of the top five revenue generating events for the City of Galveston. 

On event day, the beach will open for teams and sponsors at 6:30 a.m. and the public is encouraged to begin to arrive at 9 a.m. Teams will build their sandcastles between 10 a.m.-3 p.m. The award ceremony takes place at 4:30 p.m. 

Parking at East Beach Galveston is $15 cash only collected by the Galveston Parks Board.