Tag: labor day

Sand sculpting challenge gets ready downtown!

Sand sculpture is prepared in front of San Diego's Cruise Ship Terminal.
Sand sculpture is prepared in front of San Diego’s Cruise Ship Terminal.

This coming Labor Day weekend, two major events will take place on San Diego’s Embarcadero. The 2014 Festival of Sail will feature about 20 beautiful tall ships from ports far and wide. The second event, the U.S. Sand Sculpting Challenge and 3D Art Exposition, will feature a world-class competition between many of the world’s greatest sand sculpting masters.

I noticed today during my walk that preparations have begun for the unique art competition. Several sculptures are already being created to herald the event and welcome the weekend crowds. Big piles of sand also wait along the pier for the competitors to realize their creative visions.

2014 US Sand Sculpting Challenge to be held downtown Labor Day weekend.
2014 US Sand Sculpting Challenge to be held downtown Labor Day weekend.
Man shovels spilled sand on pier into one of many big piles.
Man shovels spilled sand on pier into one of many big piles.
This artist is making a representation of San Diego's skyline!
This artist is making a representation of San Diego’s skyline!
Each mound will become a unique sand masterpiece.
Each mound will become a unique sand masterpiece.
These guys are working on a life-sized sand truck!
These guys are working on a life-sized sand truck!
Carefully adding Chevrolet logo to back of the detailed sculpture.
Carefully adding Chevrolet logo to back of the detailed sculpture.
A few minutes later, an eagle is taking form on this tall heap of sand!
A few minutes later, an eagle is taking form on this heap of sand!

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Big crowd at San Diego’s 2013 Festival of Sail!

big crowd at festival of sail

Sunday afternoon brought a gigantic crowd to San Diego’s sunny waterfront. The 2013 Festival of Sail appears to be a resounding success! This photo was taken at the annual event’s busy entrance just south of the Star of India.

A huge mass of humanity also surged along the Embarcadero in the vicinity of the sand sculpture event on the cruise ship pier, and by the USS Midway and Seaport Village. Lines were long everywhere, and street vendors and performers were raking in the money!

One often hears that America’s Finest City is a top destination for tourists on Labor Day weekend…I certainly believe it!

UPDATE!

It’s almost a year later and the 2014 Festival of Sail is a couple days away! This year I’ll actually attend, brave the huge crowds and take a bunch of pics!

Banner is up a few days before the 2014 Festival of Sail!
Banner is up on Star of India a few days before the 2014 Festival of Sail!

Historic John Ginty House with holiday bunting.

john ginty house on cortez hill

I live very close to the historic Ginty House on Cortez Hill. I noticed today they’ve put holiday red, white and blue bunting on their porch rails, to celebrate Labor Day.

The beautiful old Victorian house, in the Stick Eastlake style, was built in 1886 by businessman John Ginty at the very highest point on affluent Cortez Hill.  In 1999 the house was saved from demolition and moved to its present location.  Registered as an official Historical Landmark, it was recently named one of the top ten “Dream Homes” by San Diego Magazine.

Cool features include the “Fairhead Stone” horse carriage step jutting up beside the sidewalk, a four-way fireplace, and a two-car garage with a hydraulic lift!

UPDATE! I took this pic on Memorial Day 2014…

Flag appears instead of bunting on Memorial Day.
Flag appears instead of bunting on Memorial Day.
The historic house as seen from the north on a typical day.
The historic house as seen from the north on a typical day.

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