Parks Day is July 16 at Cavendish Beach

Fun for the entire family including the Great Island Sandcastle competition at Cavendish Beach

Celebrate Parks Day in P.E.I. National Park on Saturday, July 16, by participating in the annual Great Island Sandcastle competition.

The theme of this year’s competition is Canadian symbols. Creativity counts and the panel of judges is looking forward to seeing sand creations of all shapes and sizes in this familyfriendly event.

The competition is at a new location this year – Cavendish Beach. Registration for the Great Island Sandcastle competition begins at 11:15 a.m., and judging will take place at 2 p.m. The announcement of the winners will follow at 3 p.m. Those interested in taking part can register as a group, individual or family and prizes will be awarded for the best entries.

Maurice Bernard, local artist, sand sculptor and host of P.E.I. National Park’s summer program Sensational Sandcastles, will be on hand to offer helpful tips.

Other ways to celebrate Parks Day include a gentle hatha yoga session at 10 a.m. at Cavendish Beach. Visitors can also take a break from the sun and sand and check out the Parks Canada Beach Hut between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. to get up close and personal with a lobster or find out more about the endangered Piping Plover.

Children can also participate in the Xplorers Program. - Parks Canada is offering a lineup of interpretive programming this summer at Prince Edward Island National Park, including some old favourites such as sensational sandcastles and campground ceilidh. Check out http://www.pc.gc.ca/ eng/pn-np/pe/pei-ipe/activ/ activ-menu/interpretation. aspx.

meets 6:30 p.m., Trinity United Church, Charlottetown. Call 902-620-8240.

meets in Charlottetown, 8 p.m., St. Pius X Church, St. Peter’s Road.

(Alberton) meets at 7 p.m. at St. Martha’s House, 144 Poplar St., Alberton. Call 1-800-205-8402.