WEBBER – Lovewell State Park, located in Jewell County in northcentral Kansas, is gearing up for its annual Sand Castle/Sculpture Contest on Sunday, July 19. The event, which is open to teams consisting of up to five members, will be conducted at the Southwinds Beach area. Teams must register at the Lovewell State Park office between 8 a.m. and noon on Sunday.  Entries will be judged at 1 p.m., and prizes will be awarded in two categories: Sand Castles and Sand Sculptures. Grand prizes for the event are provided by KRFS Radio in Superior, Nebraska and KREP Radio in Belleville. Even if you don’t enter the contest, park staff invite you to the beach to view these sand masterpieces!  

A new event included this year is the First Annual Float Your Boat Contest, also held at the Southwinds Beach area on Sunday. Participants must register from 11 a.m. to noon, and boats must be displayed until the races begin at 2 p.m. Each two-person team must have one member at least 18 years old. Only boats constructed entirely of cardboard and duct tape are eligible, and boats may be decorated in family-friendly fashion. Entries will race against the clock, vying to cross the finish line quickest while still afloat and with both team members onboard. All racers must wear approved life jackets.

A state park vehicle entrance permit is required for the events. A daily permit is $5, and an annual permit is $25. The events could be cancelled, depending on Lovewell Reservoir’s blue-green algae status. Status updates will be available on the KDWPT website, www.ksoutdoors.com, and on Lovewell State Park’s Facebook page or by calling (785) 753-4971 on Friday, July 17 for more information.

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