Favorite Find Contest 2026

Share Your Favorite Find! Sunday November 8

Calling all collectors and beachcombers!
Do you have a stunning piece of sea glass or an ocean-found treasure you’d love to share? Join us for a special chance to show off your Favorite Find and connect with fellow collectors.

Deadline to Enter: Weds Nov 4, 5pm PST.

Maximum of 6 participants: You will be notified on Thurs Nov 6 by 5pm PST, if we can give you one of 6 spots in the Favorite Find Contest.

To enter you must be available in-person on Sun Nov 8 (Grove Stage in Santa Cruz , 400 Beach Street). 2pm: check-in. 3pm: Festival staff will give a short introduction (2-4 minutes) of your piece.

What Kind of Finds Can You Enter?

Your item must be:

1. Fully finished by the ocean or river (no sharp edges or broken shards)

2. At least 1 inch in circumference

The piece should be: art glass, historic bottle or commercial glass, ceramics, marbles, bottle stoppers, from a glass insulator, other unique ocean-found objects.

You will upload 2 photos of your piece: One shot from above, One shot by the side. Required: please place a quarter (coin) next to your piece in one of the photos (to help with size reference).

Note: No recycled bottle glass or artificially tumbled pieces.

You are welcome to enter multiple pieces (submit the form again), however please be considerate of the volunteer time to sort through all the applications. We know it's hard to pick only one!

🎤 Show & Tell on the Grove Stage

🕒 3:00pm • Sunday, November 8
Via the registration form, you will give a description of where and when you found it. Please help us tell its story.  

Community Vote & Prize!

🕞 3:30-3:45pm
The audience at the Grove, and the online Sea Glass community, will vote for their favorite piece!

Voting is easy: just scan a QR code on the screen and vote via your phone (no downloading an app necessary).

The Winner of the Community Vote for their Favorite Piece will receive a prize, and title of "Favorite Find 2026 Winner"! 

Thank you for sharing your Treasures!  Thank you to the volunteers who help make this unique community-event possible!

After you have taken the Required Photos:  Two: One shot from above, One shot by the side. Required: please place a quarter (coin) next to your piece in one of the photos. Note: a Google Email Account is required to Upload the required photos.

Please submit the Registration form HERE.  Deadline to Enter: Weds Nov 5, 5pm PST.

See the Weekend's Line-up of local musicians and talks from sea glass collectors.