Reward offered after vandals damage sand sculptures at Parksville Beach Festival

Organizers of the Parksville Beach Festival are offering a reward for information after vandals damaged several entries in the festival’s international sand sculpting competition over the weekend.

Festival organizers say someone entered the secured competition site overnight, with staff discovering the damage around 6 a.m. Sunday. Several of the elaborate sculptures were partially destroyed.

The damage briefly paused the competition while affected artists repaired their sculptures before the exhibition opened to visitors.

Anyone who witnessed suspicious activity near Parksville Community Park on Saturday night or early Sunday morning is asked to contact the Parksville Beach Festival Society at [e-mail] or 250-951-2678, or contact local police.

Despite the setback, the international sculpting community rallied around the affected artists, helping restore the sculptures in time for the public opening.

After the damage was discovered, the competing artists came together with the master judge to discuss how to move forward. They decided to divide the doubles category prize money evenly among all teams entered in that division, turning a difficult moment into a show of support within the sand sculpting community.

“We are incredibly saddened that the hard work of our sculptors, volunteers and staff was affected in this way,” said Cheryl Dill, president of the Parksville Beach Festival Society, in a statement on social media.

“This festival is built on community spirit. The best way to support our artists, volunteers and everyone who makes this festival possible is to visit the Exhibition, celebrate these incredible works of art and show our sculptors that their hard work is valued and appreciated.”

Festival organizers say security remains on site as they work to determine exactly what happened.

The “Beauties and Beasts” sculptures are now on display and will remain open to visitors through Aug. 16.