1. A Giant Shark Sand Sculpture Stole the Show
A team of sand sculptors arrives early and carves their masterpiece throughout the day. The winning design last summer showed a great white bursting out of the sand with open jaws and sea foam details made from powdered shells. Kids screamed in delight and parents snapped pictures while pretending to get swallowed. “I thought it was real for a second,” someone admitted on TripAdvisor. The artist even included tiny fish in the background and coral details around the base. It was beautiful, a little scary, and completely photo-worthy. By sunset, a line formed just to pose beside the fins.
2. The Shark Run Was a Sea of Fins and Flash
It’s the end of June, 2025 and the early morning 5K is how Shark Fest kicks off, and it’s anything but ordinary. Participants run along the boardwalk in shark hats, foam fins, snorkel masks, and glittery tails. The crowd often cheers wildly as runners in inflatable shark suits wobble to the finish line. Last year, someone crossed dressed as a sushi roll with a shark plush tucked inside. “I’ve never seen anything like it,” one runner laughed on Facebook. It’s part race, part costume parade, and part community comedy hour. Even if you’re not racing, just watching is more than enough to start your day right.
3. Kids Competed in Shark Olympics
For kids, Shark Fest isn’t just about watching. It’s about joining the action. The Shark Olympics is a series of fun, fast-paced events where little ones race with foam fins, answer ocean trivia, and build pretend coral reefs from craft supplies. The winners receive inflatable shark trophies, candy, and bragging rights for the entire weekend. “I beat my big cousin in trivia,” one proud six-year-old told a local reporter. Parents cheer from the sidelines, phones in hand, trying to catch every silly moment. It’s chaotic in the best way and one of the sweetest parts of the entire event.
4. You Could Touch a Real Shark (Sort Of)
Tucked near the marine education area is a crowd favorite: the touch tank. Inside are small, docile sharks like bamboo sharks and smooth rays that visitors can gently feel under supervision. “It was softer than I expected,” one little girl told the volunteer staff. Marine biologists explain how each creature lives, eats, and stays safe in the wild. The tank is surprisingly peaceful, with quiet conversations and lots of wide eyes. It’s often the first time many kids ever touch a living sea animal. For a festival full of loud fun, this corner offers a calm, thoughtful ocean connection.
5. The “Name That Shark” Game Was Shockingly Hard
The trivia tent features a game that seems easy until you try it. Players are shown dark silhouettes or close-up photos and must identify the shark species. Most people confuse a mako for a blue or a thresher for a tiger. “I only got two right,” one mom laughed on Instagram. The winners get T-shirts, shark-themed water bottles, or free scoops of ice cream. It’s educational, yes, but it’s also hilarious when guesses go wildly wrong. Some families compete together and turn it into a challenge. Whether you ace it or fail completely, it’s a fun learning experience for everyone.
6. Vendors Went All In on Shark Merch
The boardwalk during Shark Fest becomes a haven for quirky ocean-themed goods. You’ll find handmade jewelry shaped like teeth, shirts that say “Feelin’ Jawsome,” and even shark-shaped soap bars. Food vendors sell shark popsicles, blue lemonade, and saltwater taffy with cartoon fins printed on the wrappers. “I bought matching shark socks for my whole family,” said one tourist in a Google review. Every booth seems to have something worth picking up. Some are cute, some are ridiculous, and all of them carry that perfect beach town energy. Even if you don’t plan to buy, you’ll walk away with something.
7. Shark Dissections Were a Big Draw (And Not for the Faint of Heart)
Over by the science corner, a crowd forms around an open tent where marine biologists perform shark dissections. It’s part of the educational segment, but it draws everyone from curious teens to stunned adults. They walk through anatomy, show stomach contents, and explain how sharks survive. “There was a whole crab claw inside,” one kid shouted with awe. Some visitors wince, others lean in closer. It’s hands-on science that makes a real impact. For many, it’s the first time they’ve seen what’s inside a shark. It might be a little gross, but it’s definitely unforgettable in the best way.
8. It All Ended with a Shark Glow Party on the Beach
By the time the sun starts setting, Shark Fest winds down with one big final hurrah. The glow party begins with neon bracelets, glowing shark hats, and live music playing ocean-inspired dance tracks. A giant shark piñata drops candy on the sand as kids rush in with buckets. “It felt like the beach turned into a dream,” one visitor said on Twitter. Families gather around beach fires, others dance under string lights, and the ocean breeze ties it all together. As the lights fade and candy wrappers blow into the dunes, everyone already starts counting down to next year.
This story 8 Wild Things That Happen When Shark Fest Takes Over This Beach Town Every Summer was first published on Daily FETCH
