Cayucos celebrates the 4th with sand sculptures, parade

Thousands of revelers kicked off America’s birthday on the sand of the seaside town of Cayucos.

"I arrived at 4:30 this morning and by 5 o’clock we started having the mound developed for this," said sand sculptor Brian Nelson.

Nelson’s sculpture was just one of nearly 20 entries in this year’s sand sculpting competition. Competitors had three hours to create their masterpieces.

"We’re going to do some bear eyes up here," Nelson explained. "This is going to be a Native American sculpture."

He’s been sand sculpting since 2002. He says it’s all for the kids.

"And that’s basically what I enjoy because when the tide comes in, it’s gone!"

There were plenty of spectators in their American garb to enjoy the creativity, at least for a little while.

"The octopus was really great, and the sand crab, but I think the crocodile over by the pier had some really good stuff going for it too," said Jacob Smith of Fresno.

The octopus was a favorite to snap a picture with. I even got one, too.

"What I was thinking with it was to do something you could interact with. A sand sculpture is not just something you look at, it’s something you get in, and participate and be part of the day," said sculptor Dennis Shives.

Shives has been taking part in the Cayucos holiday competition for more than two decades.

"This is the perfect place to come for the 4th of July," Shives said.

Mid-morning, thousands lined Ocean Avenue for the annual hometown parade, a tradition for Nadine Lilley for 35 years now.

"I think it’s a combination. You wake up to the sand scupltures, which are magical, and then to see these balloon arches. The parade gets better every year and, of course, the fireworks off the end of the pier just culminate the day," said Lilley.

The fireworks start around 9 p.m. from the pier.