The Cannon Beach Sandcastle Contest will return this weekend, brightening shores with sculptures of sand.

A 1997 edition of Cannon Beach Magazine, found among family bookshelves shortly after I began as Coast Weekend editor, headlines the event with a call to “Come Early, Stay Late!”

The magazine’s invitation holds true for this weekend’s events, keeping a tradition alive. Beachgoers are invited to join in a community bonfire on Friday night before the sandcastle building contest begins on Saturday afternoon.

After five hours have passed, a unique set of creations will emerge. If your idea will be among them, or if you’d simply like to build a sandcastle of your own, Coast Weekend invites you to send a photo of it to editor@discoverourcoast.com.

If you’re more comfortable with writing than with sculpting from sand, rocks and seaweed, or perhaps you’re interested in both, consider contributing to Coast Weekend.

You may have noticed that this week’s edition is a bit longer than most recent issues. With many events and activities returning for the summer months, Coast Weekend has expanded to include more to see, explore and experience in the scenic Columbia-Pacific region.

With that addition comes an opportunity. Perhaps you’re interested in writing a column about coastal life. Maybe you’re drawn to local wineries, gardening or the region’s music scene.

If there’s a topic you’d love to cover, send us a message. Writers open to assignments of art, music, event, outdoor and dining stories are also welcome to get in touch. The ideal freelance writer for Coast Weekend is someone with an eye for detail and accuracy, especially those with previous news or feature writing experience.

Interested freelancers are asked to send writing samples along with a brief summary of potential contributions to Coast Weekend. Reach out with questions anytime. My inbox is open at editor@discoverourcoast.com.