2006 Pacific National Exhibition
International Sand Sculpture Competition

The second International Sand Sculpture Competition was a great success at the Pacific National Exhibition with competitors from around the World. Two professional sculptors from Canada - Damon Langlois and Brett Stocker, one from Holland - Remy Geertz, Mexico - Calixto Molina, Spain - Oscar Rodriguez and Bill Dow representing the United States. The Sandemons Sand Sculpture Company was again invited to organize and run the event on behalf of The Pacific National Exhibition along with creating a large Demonstration sculpture to open the Fair. The 2006 Demonstration sculpture was called B.C. Sports Heros, to go along with the Sports Legends theme of this years Fair. The demonstration sculpture was a large coastal mountain with ski chalet at the top and ski runs and depicted Nancy Greene skiing to the finish. We also created a hockey scene from the 1994 Stanley Cup Playoffs between the Vancouver Canucks and New York Rangers. This had a comical twist to it, with Canucks fans throwing snow balls at Mike Richter and distracting him from the goal while Stan Smyl was being body checked along the boards by Mark Messier. Unbeknownst to Richter, the puck shot by Smyl was sliding through the 5 hole for a goal.

Andrew Briggs and David Dureault, Professional Sand Sculptors from B.C. and Derek Crawford who is new to sand sculpting, worked with me to create the Demonstration sculpture and assist in organizing and running the event.

I would like to give a special thank you to Corrado(Cory) from LaRocca Restaurant for the fabulous Italian dinner and wine and to Wes Mackey for the fantastic blues music.

I look forward to this continuing to be a great event over the upcoming years, with a larger group of International Sand Sculptors participating. The input from the PNE Fair staff and visitors has been overwelming and appreciated for this amazing live art form.

Create and Enjoy!!

2005 results and photos of Competitors and Demonstration sculpture can be found at Pacific National Exhibition - 2005 International Sand Sculpture Competition.

1st Place - BILL DOW, UNITED STATES

2006 PNE International Sand Sculpture Competition

Bill Dow won 1st place at the 2nd annual event with a sculpture of a Native Indian hunting buffalo, called "Buffalo Hunt". The sculpture was one of many Bill has created throughout the year. Bill travels the World competing and winning in many competitions and can be found working on large sand projects around the globe. It will be a great pleasure to have him back again next year to defend his title at the 2007 PNE event.

2nd Place - BRETT STOCKER, CANADA

2006 PNE International Sand Sculpture Competition

Brett Stocker, after winning the Inaugural year at the PNE event, placed second in this years event. Brett's sculpture, called "The Protector" was a detailed dragon protecting its castle. You can see more of Brett's sand sculpting work at various events throughout North America.

3rd Place - CALIXTO MOLINA, MEXICO

2006 PNE International Sand Sculpture Competition

Calixo Molina placed third in this years competition. Calixto's sculpture titled "Senor' Miya" depicted a Mayan god. Calixto travels to many events throughout North and South America and can be found working on large sand projects throughout the world.

PEOPLE'S CHOICE AWARD - DAMON LANGLOIS, CANADA

2006 PNE International Sand Sculpture Competition

Damon Langlois won this years People's Choice Award with a sculpture titled "Shhh..." of Big Foot peering through trees behind a man who had discovered the Sasquatch's foot print. Damon has been one of the driving forces behind the Sand Boxers Sand Sculpture team which has competed for many years at local North American events and placed at The World Championships in many of the years. I had the pleasure of sculpting with Damon and the Sand Boxers in the 2005 World Championships, where we won both the 1st Place prize and the People's Choice award for 2005.

REMY GEERTS, HOLLAND

2006 PNE International Sand Sculpture Competition

Remy Geertz created a beautiful sculpture of an Indian Goddess called "Lakshmi - Indian Goddess of Good Fortune". It was fantastic to have Remi and her partner Paul Hoggard (2005 PNE 2nd place winner) out for this years event. You can see more sand sculptures and news of their next events at Sandartist.

OSCAR RODRIGUEZ, SPAIN

2006 PNE International Sand Sculpture Competition

Oscar Rodriguez, who is new to sand sculpting in the past 3 to 4 years, brought his amazing sculpting talents to the event this year. With a little bit of controversy, he created a rendition of Adam and Eve called "Eat the Apple and Shut Up". Oscar spends most of his sculpting time in Europe at various events and sand projects. It was great to have him here at the PNE with his unique vision.