K.C. Pohtilla admits Driftwood Day is a quirky little event.

For one afternoon in September, some of North Whidbey’s most creative beachcombers gather on the beach and use only what the tide brings in to assemble driftwood sculptures.

Pohtilla’s idea to start a community event that was free, fun and inspired creativity will take place for the 11th year Saturday at Windjammer Park in Oak Harbor.

She remembers the odd looks she got from fellow Oak Harbor Arts Commission members when she first suggested the idea.

More than a decade later, the family-friendly event continues to bring back a faithful following as well as attract newcomers.

“It’s a way to get out of the house with family,” Pohtilla said. “You just make whatever. We’ve had huge Viking boats, a small circus. If you can think of it, they’ve made it.”

From noon until 1:30 p.m. Saturday, participants will take whatever they can find on the beach and build their masterpieces.

People may use driftwood, sand, rocks, shells or anything else that happened to wash up on the shore Saturday, but nothing else.

“You can’t bring anything with you,” said Skip Pohtilla, K.C.’s husband.

“If you want to dig, you’ve got to do it with driftwood. If you tie, you have to find rope or fishing line. It’s all what you find on the beach that day.”

Four judges will be on hand to score the best works eligible for 11 different trophies such as the “High Tide Award” and “Mermaid’s Masterpiece.”

There’s also a 12th “People’s Choice” trophy voted on by those in attendance.

“What’s being made is really limited only by the imagination of who’s doing it,” Skip Pohtilla said. “There are a lot of folks who are very creative. You’re not competing against anybody. You’re doing it for yourself.”

The trophies also are made of driftwood, as well as costume jewelry and other items. They rest on wooden bases that feature scenes painted by Morgan Mann, the Pohtillas’ daughter.

Like the event, the trophies are kind of quirky, but sought after, K.C. Pohtilla said.

“People want those trophies,” she said.

Participation has fluctuated over the years. In the first year, there were 19 teams and 60-70 total participants. The peak was 45 teams and roughly 150 participants. People may register as part of a team or as an individual.

Registration takes place from 11:30 a.m. to noon.

When the event is over, after the trophies are handed out, ultimately the tide will come in to reclaim the driftwood creations.

Some even stay intact and buoyant for a while and drift into the bay, recycled for another year.

“It’s fun to watch the tide come in and reclaim them,” Skip Pohtilla said.