CANFIELD Sunfest offers Ohio families sand castles, entertainment

The local event attracts 3,500 participants and spectators.
BY MATT BIXENSTINE
VINDICATOR STAFF WRITER
CANFIELD -- The nearest ocean might be hundreds of miles away, but for one Sunday in July, a local park resembles a beach.
Tom Bresko, recreation director of Mill Creek MetroParks, has about 25 tons of sand hauled from a local supply company to the James L. Wick Jr. Recreation Area for Sunfest, an annual family park service event featuring a sand sculpture competition.
The idea originated about 15 years ago when Bresko was vacationing in California.
"I do a lot of traveling and saw these sand sculpture competitions on the [west] coast," he said. "I said, 'You know what? With a little creativity we can do that here."
From his vision Bresko spawned Sunfest, to be held next Sunday. The theme of this year's sand sculpting event will be pride in Ohio's Bicentennial.
What started as several sand sculptors has expanded to 25 to 30 competition participants and 3,500 attendees who come to view the sand creations and listen to the concerts on the lawn of the Morley Performing Arts Pavilion.
"The No. 1 activity is coming to look at everyone's creation," said Carol Potter, Mill Creek Metroparks director of development and marketing. "It's a little piece of tourism right here in Youngstown."
Dedicated participants
Beth Carson has participated in the sand sculpture contest every year but one since Sunfest's inception in 1993. The East Palestine resident, known as the "Castle Lady," has been to an ocean only three times in her life but still manages to satisfy her craving to play in the sand.
"We're landlocked here, but it feels like a day at the beach," Carson said of Sunfest. "There are lots of things you can do with a pile of sand and imagination."
Carson's creations, such as "Castle on the Clouds," have been spectacular, Bresko said.
Amateurs and professional sand sculptors alike participate in the "friendly competition."
Margaret Steiner of Austintown said Sunfest has evolved into an annual gathering for her family. Many of her five children and 11 grandchildren have participated in years past. "I think the first year we just happened upon it, and they had extra sand piles," said Marilyn Steiner, Margaret's daughter.
At least nine months of planning are involved in putting on Sunfest, which has been recognized by the Ohio Parks and Recreation Association.
"Parks in Ohio do a great job with recreation, and we're proud to be a part of that," Bresko said.