Sandcastle Competition Gains Seven New Sponsors

Organizers of the annual U.S. Open Sandcastle Competition to take place July 22-24 announced Tuesday that they signed up seven corporate sponsors that will enable them to cover increased costs and hold the event as scheduled next month.

Vitamin Water, Dyson, Subway Restaurants, Foster Farms, Almond Accents, Geico and the Imperial Beach Chamber of Commerce all agreed to support the competition now in its 31st year.

A few months ago, the event's organizers questioned whether or not they would be able to have the competition this year primarily due to a loss of previous funding and great increase in Sheriff security costs.

"The event was in jeopardy after 30 successful years, as we had a $50,000 increase in expenses this year,'' said Debbie Longley, the chairwoman of the organizing committee.

About $21,000 in cash will be awarded to top sand scultpting teams, Longley said, adding that she estimates about 400,000 people to come to IB over the three day event.