News File Photo The 2018 third-place winners in the one-to-five builders category pose in front of the frog they made at that year’s Alpena News Sandcastle Contest. The contest returns from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday, July 4 at Starlite Beach.

ALPENA — The Alpena News Sandcastle Contest has been an annual event for eight years, and will again be held at Starlite Beach on Monday, July 4.

Diggers and sculptors of all ages will have the opportunity to create works of art in the contest, which began in 2014.

“It’s a chance for people to show off their artistic skills,” said Alpena News Publisher/Editor Justin Hinkley. “It’s a chance for people to get together at the beach and have fun on the holiday, and it’s just another event that makes Independence Day great in Northeast Michigan.”

Registration is free and begins at 8 a.m. Monday in three categories: one to five builders, six or more builders, and a kids division for ages 12 and younger. Builders will have until 3:30 p.m. to create their works of art before a special panel of judges picks winners of cash prizes in each category.

In the one to five and six or more divisions, first place gets $100, second place $50, and third place $25. In the kids division, first place gets $50 and second place gets $25.

Those cash prizes were donated by Sytek Ortho.

Spectators can also vote as often as they want for the People’s Choice Award. Each vote costs $1 and money raised through voting goes to the People’s Choice winner.

The News invites everyone to come dig in the sand and celebrate Independence Day by creating awesome sand sculptures at Starlite Beach.

Even those who have no experience building sandcastles are encouraged to enter the contest.

“Absolutely, they should give it a try,” Hinkley said. “I think everybody has more artistic talent than they think they have, and the sandcastle contest is just great for everyone, people of all ages.”

For more information, call The News at 989-354-3111.

“Come on out, and have a good time, and make something great,” Hinkley concluded.