For more than 60 years, the Cannon Beach Sandcastle Contest has welcomed families to Oregon’s iconic coastline. Behind one of the state’s most cherished traditions is a story of community, volunteerism, and three generations of one family dedicated to keeping it alive.
By the time the first visitors step onto Cannon Beach each June, the work is already well underway.
Long before the first bucket of sand is packed or the first sculpture begins to take shape, volunteers have been on the beach since before sunrise. Competition plots are carefully measured. Judges prepare their scorecards. Merchandise tents are assembled. Food vendors arrive. Every detail is thoughtfully orchestrated so that, to the thousands of visitors who gather along the shoreline, the day feels effortless.
For more than 35 years, Cascade Hasson Sotheby’s International Realty advisors Robin Risley and Risley Wilkinson have helped make that magic happen. Robin has spent decades volunteering, organizing, judging, and championing the event, while Risley grew up alongside the contest before stepping into her own role behind the scenes. This year, a third generation joined them as Risley’s son, Kallen, volunteered on the beach, learning the ropes of a tradition that has shaped his family’s story for decades.
For the Risley family, the Cannon Beach Sandcastle Contest has never simply been about sandcastles.
It’s about community. It’s about giving back. It’s about preserving a tradition that has welcomed generations of Oregonians to the coast.
A Tradition Born from Hope
Many visitors don’t realize the Cannon Beach Sandcastle Contest was born from resilience.
Following the devastating 1964 tsunami, local residents searched for a way to welcome people back to Cannon Beach. Their answer was simple yet enduring: create an event where families, artists, and neighbors could gather to celebrate the beauty of the coast together.
In the wake of the disaster, four local residents created the Cannon Beach Sandcastle Contest to regenerate that hope.
More than six decades later, that small community gathering has evolved into one of Oregon’s most beloved annual traditions—being officially recognized as an Oregon Heritage Tradition in 2014, joining the ranks of iconic celebrations like the Pendleton Round-Up and Portland’s Rose Festival.
“There’s something really special about seeing people of all ages come together out here,” Robin says. “It reminds you how powerful simple traditions can be in creating lasting connections.”
Before the Waves
To spectators, the contest feels magical.
Master sculptors transform piles of sand into towering castles, whimsical sea creatures, and breathtaking works of art using only natural materials.
What visitors don’t see is the extraordinary effort behind every sculpture. Months of planning culminate in a 5:30 a.m. start, as volunteers prepare the beach before the first competitors arrive.
Master teams spend days practicing, relying on nothing more than sand, seawater, shells, driftwood, creativity, and teamwork. No adhesives, paint, or hardening agents are allowed.
Judging extends far beyond artistic talent, rewarding innovation, craftsmanship, teamwork, and sportsmanship as much as the finished sculpture itself.
A Legacy of Giving Back
For Robin, giving back has always been part of loving Cannon Beach. Over the years, her commitment has extended well beyond a single event through leadership on the Planning Commission, community organizations, coastal conservation efforts, and numerous civic initiatives.
“When you truly love a place, you want to help take care of it,” she says.
Thankfully, that commitment hasn’t gone unnoticed.
Over the years, Robin has been crowned “Mrs. Sandcastle,” helping promote the event across Oregon, participating in Rose Festival celebrations, and witnessing the contest evolve from a beloved local gathering into a statewide tradition. Newspaper clippings and photographs spanning decades tell the story not only of the contest’s evolution, but also of the woman who has quietly helped preserve it along the way.
Growing Up in the Sand
For Risley, the Sandcastle Contest wasn’t something she discovered later in life.
It was simply childhood.
She spent summer days on Cannon Beach watching artists transform the shoreline while volunteers, judges, and families worked together to bring the event to life. What once felt like a beloved family tradition has become one she’s now helping preserve for future generations.
Seeing her son Kallen become involved has made that tradition even more meaningful.
“I’m excited that he wants to be part of the Cannon Beach Sandcastle Contest,” Risley says. “It means a lot to see him take an interest in something that’s been such a big part of our family for so long.”
The Beauty of Letting Go
Perhaps the contest’s most remarkable moment comes after the awards have been handed out.
As the afternoon fades into evening, and the Pacific tide slowly rises, visitors linger. Photographs are taken, and children make one final lap around the sculptures.
Then, one by one, the waves quietly reclaim every masterpiece.
“The magic is that by the end of the day, the waves come in and wash everything away,” Robin reflects. “The sculptures disappear, but the memories stay with everyone who was there.”
It’s a fitting reminder that the contest has never really been about building something permanent.
It’s about creating moments worth remembering.
More Than Sandcastles
As real estate advisors, Robin and Risley don’t just sell homes along the Oregon Coast. They’ve spent decades helping shape the communities they serve.
As a fifth-generation Oregonian, Robin has called Cannon Beach home since the 1970s. Her decades of civic leadership and volunteerism have given her an unmatched understanding of the Coast. Following in her mother’s footsteps, Risley, a sixth-generation Oregonian and second-generation real estate advisor, now shares that same local expertise with clients throughout the Coast and the Portland metro area.
For years, Robin and her longtime business partner, Tommy Huntington, have featured a simple message in local coast publications:
“Let us help you find your sandcastle.”
It’s a playful nod to their profession, but after learning their story, the phrase takes on a whole new meaning.
For the Risley family, helping people find a home has always been about more than real estate. It’s about helping others discover a community worth calling home.
Connect with Robin & Risley:
Robin Risley, Real Estate Advisor at Cascade Hasson Sotheby’s International Realty
503.738.2888 I robin.risley@cascadehasson.com
Risley Wilkinson, Real Estate Advisor at Cascade Hasson Sotheby’s International Realty
503.332.2955 I risley.wilkinson@cascadehasson.com