Skaha Rotary of Penticton had another successful Sandcastle Competition at Skaha Lake Beach on Thursday evening.  

The 26th annual event drew 18 competitors across all the categories including the usual local builders, returning tourists and an international flair. Entrants from France competed, building a sand sculpture illustrating their homeland.

"We had a bucketload of fun creating a sculpture of the Arc de Triomphe. We entered in the family and friends category and chose to do a plot representing France to celebrate three of our team mates who were visiting from there," said Suzanne Chavarie, one of the team members. "Hats off to the organizers Skaha Rotary Club for another successful year also an incredible big thank you to  local business and Matt Kenyon who in these interesting economical time still support events in this wonderful community we live in."

In the family category it was the Okanagan Falls based Witwichi family who took top prize and the People's Choice title with the most votes from spectators for their design titled Bacchus Buddha.

The youth winning team came from Penticton for their sculpture titled Miss Penticton and the corporate winner for the second year in a row was Greyback Construction who put their $500 donation towards the Penticton Food Bank. In the kids category is was a group of eight young ladies from Penticton that won with their design titled Inuckshuck.

"The whole event went off without a hitch, with several hundred spectators enjoying a fun filled evening of sand art, and music by Kyle Anderson's Amazing Rubber Band," said one of the organizers, Vera Chomyshen. "A big thank you to City Centre Fitness for their cardio warm-up exercises and being our Title sponsor for this annual and free family friendly event for all ages."

The Skaha Rotary event was held with the support of some of their returning sponsors including Rona, Penticton Lakeside Resort and Casino, Mark's Work Wearhouse and Earl's to name a few.