FLORENCE — A Circles in the Sand event that draws thousands to the beaches near Bandon each summer is coming to Florence on Saturday, Oct. 16.
A giant labyrinth will be carved in the sand on the beach in front of Driftwood Shores motel complex beginning around 3 p.m. The public walk- through begins at 5 p.m. Low tide is at 5:15 p.m. and sunset is 6:30 p.m. The event is free to attend and will be held no matter the weather.
Sponsors include Driftwood Shores, Sand Master Park, Venomous Sandboards, Sea Lion Caves, Mo’s Seafood and Chowder, and The Little Brown Hen restaurant.
Circles in the Sand events tend to draw big crowds, especially once the public is invited to walk through the labyrinths once they are complete. Volunteers will be on hand at the beginning of each labyrinth walk to help people keep physical distance. COVID-19 masking and distancing guidelines in effect at the time will be enforced.
“This is always an uplifting event …” said Bettina Hannigan, president of the Florence Area Chamber of Commerce. “People come from all over. It’s wildly artistic, spiritually uplifting for many, and incredibly unique among beach events anywhere in the country.”
Circles in the Sand was created in 2011 by labyrinth artist Denny Dyke, who lives near Bandon and does several beach draws each year on beaches there, but has gained an international following. The Oct. 16 event is Dyke’s fourth trip to Florence.
Dyke’s volunteer drawing team starts with a blank canvas of sand and then creates a pattern with a single path, with no wrong turns or dead ends, that spirals and meanders throughout the entire labyrinth and returns near its entrance.
