Grab a Shovel: Fair Giving Away Sand

Need sand? The Orange County Fair is giving away tons of it.

County residents and business owners can chip away at a 1,000-ton sand sculpture that decorated the summer fair and fill sandbags to protect their properties from anticipated winter storms.

They’ll have the pleasure of shoveling into a deteriorating sculpture of mermaids, tiki idols, stingrays, divers, sharks, sea snakes, whales, catfish, a treasure chest and a volcano, which simulated an eruption at the fair.

Sandscapes, a company based in central California, created the sculpture for the fair’s “We’re Going Tropical: Nuttin’ but Fun” theme.

Now with El Nino storms expected, fair administrators decided to offer the sand to Orange County residents concerned about possible flooding.

Armed with shovels and bags, people have pulled up sporadically to take the sand, but the crowds needed to make a real dent haven’t materialized.

“When it’s not raining and it’s beautiful like this, people don’t think they need sand,” said Jill Lloyd, fairgrounds spokeswoman.

It will take 100,000 20-pound sandbags to dismantle the sculpture.

Those who want sand must bring shovels and bags and check in at the administration building at the fairgrounds on Fair Drive in Costa Mesa. There is a 50-pound limit per person. The sand is free.

Hours for the sand giveaway are noon to 3 p.m. Monday through Thursday.

“We’ll extend (the deadline) if there’s still sand left,” Lloyd said.

Information: (714) 708-1543.