The 25^th annual New Jersey Sandcastle Contest begins this morning on the 18^th Avenue beach in Belmar.

Contestants can begin registering at 8 a.m. and judging begins at noon, according to a news release.

The free event will include giveaways throughout the day as sand sculptors compete for 1^st, 2^nd and 3^rd prizes in six different categories: 7 & under, 8-11, 12-15, 16 & up, day camps and families.  An overall “Best on the Beach” prize will also be awarded, the release says.

Thousands of people are expected to be on-hand for one of the Shore’s largest family-oriented attractions of the summer, Belmar Mayor Matthew Doherty said.

“It’s a great family event that we put on here in Belmar, it draws a great crowd and it looks like weather is going to cooperate also, so it should be a great family-friendly event on the beach in Belmar,” Doherty said.

And while Doherty will be in attendance, he’s not going to risk embarrassing himself by trying to compete in the contest, he said.

“No, my sandcastle skills are even worse than my golf skills,” Doherty said. “But I’ll tell you, there are several outstanding artists and what they can do with sand is impressive.”