Sand & Sawdust, a Five Star kickoff

note: the above Photoshop “mashes” together 2 photos, one of a carver, one of a castle

It all starts today . . .

In Ocean Shores, the unofficial kick-off to summer is the Five Star Sand and Sawdust Festival. Aside from peanut butter and razor clams, what could go together better than chainsaws and sand castles?
It may sound weird, but it works, judging by the masses that have been entertained over the years.
This year’s beach/Convention Center festival runs today through Sunday.
This is something of a two-for-one fun deal, with a pair of disparate, popular events under one umbrella.
The Sawdust part is centered around the Ocean Shores Convention Center, where skilled chainsaw carvers (do not try this at home!) take hunks of wood and craft them into bears, eagles, benches and other beautiful items.
Each day, the work will be auctioned off by  Boaz Backus, the entertaining, high-energy auctioneer. An awards ceremony will be held Sunday at 3 p.m.
While the chainsaw artists are firing up their tools of trade, at the west end of Chance a la Mer is where the Sand comes in: Sand Castle contests will take place at the beach.
Free lessons will be given on Friday from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. Castle making competitions will be held on Saturday, with registration from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m., judging at 3 p.m. and awards presented at 3:30 p.m.
New this year: a free shuttle bus, to help alleviate parking problems. The shuttle will run around downtown Ocean Shores on Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

For more info:  www.oceanshoresact.com.