The Beaches Lodge set to host 3rd Annual Sandcastle Building competition
(Toronto) – Formed in 1905, members of The Beaches Lodge #473 are proud to announce they will be hosting their 3rd annual Sandcastle building competition on Saturday, June 20th at Ashbridge’s Bay in Toronto. “We expect teams to be once again digging by sunrise,” says organizer Graeme Boyce. “There is no charge to enter and they will need to begin sculpting their crafted walls by mid-afternoon because the competition will end sharply at 3pm. The first year we had 3 castles and last year we had 8, but we expect a much bigger turnout this year.”
Anyone with a shovel and bucket can compete for The Beaches Cup. “We used to do this sort of thing all the time when I lived in Bermuda and it raised a lot of money for the hospital,” he continues. “This year we’ve invited about a dozen other lodges to build a sandcastle, as well as local businesses and organizations.”
One of Canada’s most distinguished and innovative Masonic lodges, Beaches Lodge celebrated its hundredth anniversary in 2005, and this past year participated in Toronto’s popular Open Door Day on May 23, which also featured the MasoniChip program. The lodge’s first meetings were originally held at Balsam and Queen Streets in the Beach area. When called upon, the many members of Toronto East District have contributed their blood, toys and money to many foundations, organizations and charities over the years. Freemasons around the world contribute millions of dollars each day to many diverse causes.
“Our day on the beach is always a lot of fun,” adds Boyce. “After all, we’re looking forward to the summer. We provide food and refreshments for all diggers and sculptors, and look forward to seeing the media at 3pm for the Cup presentation. In Bermuda, all the castles were sponsored by hotel and passers-by were invited to vote for their favourite, but had to pay $5 for each vote, and could vote as many times as they liked, which raised over $100,000 each year.”
Several prominent judges for the competition are currently being approached, tested on their knowledge of the famed fortifications and notified of the criteria in order to determine a winner. The critical elements are size, creativity, attention to detail and adornments. “The prize will be the vaunted Beaches Cup,” concludes Boyce, “and a requisite round of ice cream afterwards.”
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For further information on Beaches Lodge, the Toronto East District, or this event, or to schedule a photographer or request an interview, please contact Graeme Boyce at 416-402-8591.
http://www.beacheslodge.ca