Sand sculptors brighten beach in Newport

The sand at Corona del Mar State Beach seemed to come to life Sunday as more than 20 teams gathered to design, sculpt and build in the 54th annual Sandcastle Contest presented by the Newport Beach Chamber of Commerce Commodores Club.

With buckets and tools in hand, participants spent hours perfecting their creations to fit this year’s theme, “Castles, Cars and Kids.”

A team led by Irvine resident Chris Crosson nabbed the Commodores Award for best overall creation for its massive castle with arches. The team also snagged an honorable mention for its depiction of a Ford Thunderbird.

The Sand Crabs team cleaned up with its sandy depiction of a truck pulling a castle on a trailer. The sculpture earned the People’s Choice Award and an award for best display of the theme.

The Best School award went to a group from The Pegasus School of Huntington Beach for its sculpture titled “Mermaid Under the Sun.”

Winners received cash prizes up to $100.

—Hannah Fry