THOUSAND OAKS : Mall Gives 2nd Reprieve to Giant Sandcastle

The life of the world’s tallest indoor sandcastle has been prolonged yet again.

The extension displaces a Christmas tree, but will allow shoppers at The Oaks mall to see the sand sculpture decorated with Christmas decorations.

The sculpture, a tribute to art that soars to the second story of the Thousand Oaks mall, has enraptured visitors from throughout the region.

It was to be destroyed at the beginning of summer, but mall officials granted a reprieve until the time came to make way for the giant Christmas tree that usually fills the mall’s center court.

Now, mall officials say they will skip the big tree this year, choosing instead to gussy up the sandcastle.

“They’ll see it in a new light; it will be decorated and dressed up for the holidays,” Marketing Director Diane Brandes said.

Though the big tree will be missing, visitors will still be able to greet Santa Claus and view smaller Christmas trees, Brandes said.

The mall also plans to go ahead with a plan to eventually dismantle the sculpture, auctioning off the rights to pieces of it in a Nov. 5 benefit for the Thousand Oaks Civic Arts Plaza, Brandes said.