This article and photo were published in the Peak in July 1997.
"Contorversy on Texada" was not such a controversy but more of a triumph as the Highroad Hillbillies produced the winning entry at the 1997 Texada Sandcastle competition. A couple dozen entries dotted the beach at Gillies Bay along with hundreds of spectators who came to watch and participate.
The Unibombers, who produced "Seamobile," won the family category and three Peak carriers - Raph Vecsey, Stephan Vecsey and Jason Solowan - took the children's catergory with "Kayak."
Mixed softball provided entertainment at Gillies Bay Park along with music by River City Stompers. Booths of food, jewellery and clothing lined the park to sell to the thousands who came for the weekend event.
Show and Shine Car and Motorcycle event participating vehicles gleamed at the passing crowds. Sherman Pallen won the motorcycle section with his '95 Custom Harley while Don Carto took the top car award in his Packard Convertible.
Most agreed that the fireworks and Moonbag Ceremony were the highlights of the weekend. Miss Powell River and Texada resident Rachael Sundin attended and chose her favourite: "The fireworks were great, they went on for so long."
The 2022 Texada Sandcastle Weekend takes place August 13 and 14.
