The U.S. Sand Sculpting Challenge and 3D Art Exposition is open to the public from 9am to 7pm on Friday, Saturday, Sunday and Monday of Labor Day weekend, 2013. Come watch some of the world’s top sand artists create sculptural masterpieces the likes of which have never before been seen in San Diego . . . not even at the former U.S. Open Sandcastle Competition in Imperial Beach.

It’s on the water, but it’s not on the beach. It’s an urban sand sculpture extravaganza! We’re bringing 300 tons of sand to the ‘’B’ Street Cruise Ship Terminal Pier on Harbor Drive downtown. (Don’t worry. The pier won’t fall into the water. The secret: there’s land beneath.)

What an experience: On 3 sides surrounded by San Diego’s Big Bay and on the 4th, downtown’s sandcastles in the sky. You and your family watch sculptures being gently carved by master artists from Italy, Portugal, the Netherlands and Canada, as well as California. Enjoy dimensional art from leading West Coast artists who work in metal, glass, resin, clay, wood, leather, fabric and gemstones, while tall ships pass majestically with hoisted sail in full regalia.

Check out the amazing large pile sand sculpture with over 100 tons of sand. And walk out on the pier for the best view of ships cruising the Big Bay in all of downtown.

Gates are open from 9am to 7:00pm.

World Masters start their 2nd full day of sculpting. Dimensional artists display their metal and glass sculptures, their ceramics and wood carvings, wall décor, clothing, jewelry and more, all day long.

Kids’ sandboxes are open all day. Entertainers walk around and appear on stage throughout the day.

Food and beverages are available from gourmet food trucks.

Gates are open from 9am to 7:00pm.

World Masters start their 3rd full day of sculpting. Cool California Carvers 2-person teams begin their first day of sculpting. Dimensional artists display their metal and glass sculptures, their ceramics and wood carvings, wall décor, clothing, jewelry and more, all day long.

The I.B Challenge begins at 9:00am. The 2 teams who’ve won the former U.S. Open Sandcastle Competition in 9 of the last 10 years, Archisand and I.B. Posse, face off against each other in a head-to-head competition. This year, teams are limited to 4 persons with 1 alternate.

Kids’ sandboxes are open all day. Entertainers walk around and appear on stage throughout the day.

Gates are open from 9am to 7:00pm.

World Masters start their 4th day of sculpting and complete their masterpieces at 12:30. I.B. Challenge teams and Cool California Carvers begin their second days of carving at 9:00am and complete their sculptures at 1:30. Dimensional artists display their metal and glass sculptures, their ceramics and wood carvings, wall décor, clothing, jewelry and more, all day long.

Judges begin their work immediately after carvers complete theirs, judging the World Masters starting at 12:30, and the Cool California Carvers at 1:30. The I.B. Challenge is strictly a “People’s Choice” competition, enabling San Diegans who’ve enjoyed these teams’ work for so many years to have their say in which one gets the trophy for 2012.

Judges will award first, second and third prize trophies in the World Masters and Cool California Carvers sand sculpture categories. People’s Choice trophies will be awarded to the solo World Master and Cool California Carvers team who garner the most public votes. Peoples’ Choice voting for sand sculptors, open all day on Friday and Saturday, closes at 1:30 on Sunday.

Peoples’ Choice voting for artists who work in permanent media remains open throughout the day. (Three Peoples’ Choice trophies—first, second and third prizes—will be awarded to permanent media artists on Monday.)

The sand sculpture award ceremony will take place at 2:30pm on Sunday afternoon, giving checks and trophies for World Masters, the I.B. Challenge and Cool California Carvers. A highly-recognizable surprise guest just may show up to make the presentations to the winners.

Gates are open from 9am to 7:00pm.

If you weren’t on the pier after Sunday’s award ceremony to see which sculptures were judged most magnificent by event officials, didn’t catch the 11:00pm news, or simply want to see these amazing sand sculptures up close on their last day on the planet, this is the day to visit the pier.

Peoples’ Choice voting for artists who work in permanent media remains open until noon. (Permanent media are anything other than sand … sand ain’t ever permanent … that’s what’s so darn intriguing about it). Awards will be made at 1:00.

It’s Labor Day, and the best view of any tall ships playing on our Big Bay continues to be the view from the end of our cruise ship terminal pier.

Of course, the kids’ sandbox area is open. Walk-around and stage performers entertain throughout the day.

And gourmet food trucks are available to quench your appetite and thirst.