Building Castles in the Square
By: Portland Family Staff
Portland has a host of amazing events during the summer. One of the family favorites over the past 15 years has been Junki Yoshida’s Sand in the City, held every July. Outrageous, creative works of sand art emerge at Pioneer Courthouse Square over three days. There are over 200 competitor artists crafting characters and structures from 450 tons of sand. Last year’s event drew 15 teams and over 65,000 visitors, who came to enjoy the live entertainment, food, and of course, the jaw-dropping, larger-than-life sculptures.
Yoshida’s Sand in the City is presented by Pacific Power and is now a benefit for the children, youth, and family programming of Impact Northwest, which merged with the Kids on the Block Awareness program last fall. Impact Northwest uses puppetry to inspire children to appreciate differences, reject all forms of prejudice, and develop skills to grow up healthy and safe.
Through this merger, Kids on the Block’s fifteen-year history of successfully connecting with metro-area youth through an accessible medium—puppets—is preserved and given organizational infrastructure to thrive over the next fifteen years and beyond.
Sand in the City maintains a connection with the program’s work by allowing sponsoring teams to create sand sculptures that have themes inspired by various Kids on the Block Awareness program puppets and the issues covered in public performances. We were excited to speak with the original Sand in the City sponsor himself, Junki Yoshida, about his ongoing support and involvement.
PF: Sand in the City? Sounds wild. How did it all begin?
JY: Over 12 years ago, two ladies showed up at my office. They offered me some event, which was a way-off, ridiculous idea with sand right in the middle of downtown; a sand castle contest. The purpose was to raise money. I told them it was crazy and they replied that was exactly the reason why they came to me; because of my interest for crazy ideas. The initial concept of the event was try to teach young kids about different cultures, different lifestyles, different people when they’re young, through puppets, toys. This reminded me of my life in the United States.
When I came to Seattle in 1969, it was in the middle of the Vietnam War. I experienced severe prejudice. People were saying “gook,” or “chink” whether someone was Japanese, Chinese or from Vietnam. It didn’t matter. There was no reason. The only reason was and is ignorance. To prevent that, I agreed with what they were trying to do—to educate young kids. By removing prejudice it would be a better world, but as long as the human race has been here, there’s been prejudice. We create it ourselves. That’s human nature.
So I became a sponsor from day one.
PF: Did you ever imagine that Sand in the City would grow to become one of Portland’s most notable and fun summer events?
JY: I really didn’t. The first couple of years, the sand castles were awful. Now they’re really, really professional. There was a while when people were saying, “Why do this downtown?” But the quality of creations got better and better. We wanted more people to see them.
PF: You’re obviously passionate about equality. What are some of the other issues you care about?
JY: I’m concerned about children and medical issues. I’ve been a Doernbecher board member for many years because my oldest daughter was saved at Seattle Children’s Hospital. I use the word “positive revenge.” Revenge is very powerful. But if that revenge energy switches to the positive, it’s the same level of power. They saved my daughter’s life. I want to pay back those guys. Payback positive. If we all recognize what we owe certain people, certain organizations, there’s so much power that comes up within ourselves. My wife and I are also happy to be with the Providence Hospital Foundation. My wife Linda wrote a book over two years ago. All the money goes to Providence cancer research. Her father died of colon cancer. That’s a payback. That’s a revenge.
PF: Do you have any favorite sand sculptures that you’ve seen over the years that stay with you?
JY: It’s hard! I was a judge one day and I quit after that. They’re all good! How can I judge number 1, number 2, number 3? They’re professional now, which is another reason we draw over 60,000 people to the event.
PF: Would you say these sculptures are different in person than they are in pictures? More alive and dimensional?
JY: Yes. They are. They’re just amazing in person. The people and animals especially.
PF: It must be fun seeing the trucks with all the sand pull up, ready to unload, and everyone getting excited.
JY: It never gets old. With just the sand and water, anything can be created. Anything’s possible.
PF: What’s your favorite part of the event?
JY: That we offer music, entertainment and that people show up with their kids. That Sand in the City has become a true family event.
PF: Do you make any of your own sculptures when you’re there?
JY: No. [He smiles.]
PF: Even if nobody sees them? Do you just go off on the side and make something?
JY: Don’t get me started.
PF: Being involved with Sand in the City is something that makes you happy….
JY: It does. It’s a positive revenge.
Yoshida’s Sand in the City
A Benefit for Impact Northwest
July 16th, 17th, and 18th
10 local corporate teams participating
450 tons of sand is sculpted
65,000 people attend
Portland Family is a proud media sponsor
Visit www.SandInTheCityPDX.org
