Deadline To Enter 'Sunsational Sandcastles' Is Fast Approaching

MANHATTAN BEACH, CA —Have you started on your sandcastle design yet? Have a great idea for a unique beach creation? The deadline to enter the "Sunsational Sandcastles," hosted by the Roundhouse Aquarium, is July 6.

The sandcastle building contest invites people from across the United States and around the world to raise critical funds to support the aquarium's education programs on marine science. People can create their sandcastles wherever they are with any type of sand or soil they have access to. The Oceanographic Teaching Stations, Inc. (OTS) is the non-profit organization that manages and operates the Roundhouse Aquarium.

The contest is sponsored by Chevron Corporation, the Port of Long Beach, Bayview Pediatric Dental Group, and the Langlois family.

"[This year] presents hope and a return to normalcy, and we wanted to find a safe way to celebrate World Oceans Day and the onset of summer where the community could also come together to support the Roundhouse Aquarium," Grace Adams, OTS executive director, said in a statement. "We hope to be able to continue and expand our education programs on ocean science during 2021 and beyond. We need the community's help to ensure that programs that inspire people of all ages to care for the oceans, tidelands, and beaches continue."

OTS has served more than 25,000 K-college students from Southern California in addition to students in New York, Nevada, and India during the extraordinary circumstances of 2020.

"There is a continued need for our programs, whether they are in person or virtual," Adams said. "We certainly hope to welcome everyone back to the Roundhouse now that our doors are open to the public and continue to engage students and our community through our distance learning initiatives and hopefully with in-person programs soon."

All proceeds from the "Sunsational Sandcastles" fundraiser will support OTS's science-based education programs on the oceans, tidelands, and beaches.

Anyone may participate in the contest with a $30 fee, online application, and a photo of their sandcastle creation.

Information, instructions, and the application can be found on the aquarium website.

The online voting period will run from July 9 through July 18, 2021.
A donation of $10 is requested to cast a vote.

The entries that garner the most votes for each of the following categories will win a prize:

• High Tide: Best overall sandcastle
• Sea-sational Splash: Best ocean-themed sandcastle
• We Otter Stick Together: Best team spirit
• Creative Claws: Most creative sandcastle

For additional information, contact: grace@roundhouseaquarium.org or call 310-938-2682
Or visit Earth Month page, email info @roundhouseaquarium.org