Now in its 29th year, the U.S. Open Sandcastle Competition in Imperial Beach is set to hit the beach on July 18-19 for a weekend of free, family-oriented fun including two days of sandcastle-building competitions, live entertainment, and a street fair. On Saturday, July 18, the street fair and Kids-N-Kastles competition kick-off the festival. The Kids-N-Kastles competition gives kids 12 years and younger a chance to show off their sand-sculpting skills and win various raffle prizes. The official U.S. Open Sandcastle Competition then takes place on Sunday, July 19, when amateur and professional teams compete in multiple divisions for more than $21,000 in cash prizes. The weekend-long street fair on Seacoast Drive offers more than 140 vendors featuring food and non-alcoholic beverages, art, jewelry, clothing, live music, and more. Admission to the festival is free. (www.usopensandcastle.com) JANE SHIOMI
