In addition to the many local merchants who will be selling their goods in booths at this year’s PB BeachFest, there will be plenty of local artisans displaying handcrafted items such as artwork, clothing and jewelry. From commemorative T-shirts to entertainment, BeachFest will have something for everyone. However, BeachFest is also about activities celebrating life at the beach. Here are a few more attention-grabbers for spectators and participants alike. Sand sculpture Representatives from DreamWorks will be on hand to build a large sandcastle in order to promote its new movie “Megamind,” an animated film with Will Ferrell, Jonah Hill, Brad Pitt and Tina Fey doing the voice-overs for the main characters. The sand sculpture will be about 20-feet-by-8-feet and will be located just south of the lifeguard tower at the end of Grand Avenue. Attendees can watch the sculpture come to life over the course of the day. 8K Run/Walk BeachFest would not be indicative of the local culture without a little beach competition and workouts in the sunshine. The BeachFest 8K, an all-sand run/walk, will begin at 8 a.m. just south of Crystal Pier. Participants can pick up race bibs and register, if the race is not full, beginning at 6:45 a.m. The race costs $30 prior to Oct. 1 and $35 after. All participants receive a T-shirt. To pre-register for the event visit www.kathyloperevents.com/beachfest. Action Alley Action Alley will feature professional skaters demonstrating their mad skills. Beach area surf and skate shops will be on hand selling clothing and merchandise. The event, sponsored by Vans, Pacific Drive and The Skateboard Mag, will take place near Thomas Avenue. The pro-mini ramp contest will feature a $5,000-purse of winnings. Fireworks The annual fireworks display will take place at 7 p.m. and will be fired off from the end of Crystal Pier by Fireworks America. Fireworks America has produced shows for SeaWorld, Super Bowl XXXVII, the San Diego Padres and the Fox television program “American Idol.” Best of the Beach Fish Taco Challenge The Pacific Beach Shore Club will defend its title as making the best beach fish taco. The public will decide by tasting and the casting a vote for which restaurant deserves the cherished title. Tickets to sample the tacos are $5 each and will give participants a taste from each vendor. This year’s competition will be among R.T.’s Longboard Grill, Sandbar, Pacific Beach Ale House and the defending champions. The challenge will take place between 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. at Hornblend Street and Ocean Boulevard. Surf contest New to the BeachFest, Billabong and South Coast Surf Shops will be presenting a kids surf contest. “It’s catered toward younger surfers, not professional or sponsored kids,” said Bird Huffman, long time surfer and operating manager of South Coast Windansea in Pacific Beach. The contest is free and open to kids ages 16 and younger. There will even be a “push division” for young children whose parents feel comfortable pushing them on the board. Typically these participants are the youngest of surfers. Prizes and food will be supplied by Billabong. The contest will run from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. and will be held on the north side of Crystal Pier. “It’s a low-pressure kind of a contest,” Huffman said. “It’s more about having fun.” Each child must have a parent or guardian present to sign a waiver. “Bring your smile, don’t bring an attitude,” Huffman said. For more information visit South Coast Windansea, 740 Felspar St., Suite A. Volleyball tournament The Pacific Beach Volleyball Championship Tournament begins at 9 a.m. Check-in begins at 8 a.m. “There’s room for 12 men’s and 12 women’s teams,” said Sara Berns, program manager with Discover PB. “It’s about half full.” The volleyball tournament tends to fill up early. The two-on-two tournament offers $1,000 in prize money. It will take place on the sand south of the pier. The entry fee is $75 per team. Teams can register by downloading the volleyball application from www.pacificbeachfest.org