CARMEL-BY-THE-SEA, Calif. —

The 62nd annual Great Sandcastle Contest returned to Carmel Beach in California, Sunday, inviting builders of all ages to showcase their creativity and enjoy a day of community fun.

Builders gathered as early as 7 a.m. to craft their sand artworks.

Alfred Seccombe said, "It's not only creative, but it's, I guess, maybe that's part of creativity is the it's a it's a free experience."

Builders are drawing inspiration from the landscapes, wildlife, and natural beauty of California.

"The whole fun of it is the build. It's the imagination," Robert Slawinski, a builder, said. "With sand, you can create just about anything."

Slawinski had a family theme in his sandcastle creation.

"And in this particular project that we put together, where we have the mommy otte

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