SEASIDE – Get out the sunscreen, bring a blanket and put on your sandals – it’s time to kick back and watch some beach volleyball. Make that a lot of beach volleyball.

Or, as they’re quick to point out, “The World’s Largest Beach Volleyball Tournament.”

The 22nd annual event is set to take place this weekend on Seaside’s main beach, with more than 82,000 fans, participants, spectators (and their pets) expected to attend.

Since its inception in 1982, the Seaside tournament has grown to become – as they claim – the largest beach volleyball tournament in the world.

The 2003 tournament is expected to draw more than 2,500 participants and more than 650 teams over the course of the three-day event.

There’s the potential for an even bigger spectator attendance this year, with the inaugural U.S. Amateur Sand Volleyball Championships (and Beach Party Weekend), which took place in Lincoln City the weekend of Aug. 1-3.

Chinook Winds Casino sponsored the championship event, which is likely to draw more players and fans to Seaside this weekend.

Players from all over the United States and Canada will participate in 29 different divisions, including Juniors (18-and-under), Parent-Child, Masters, Novice, Intermediate and Open (semi-professional and professional level).

Men’s, Women’s and Coed divisions playing in the sponsored Center Court Complex will compete for cash prizes of more than $8,750, with the Dosha Women’s Division featuring top players from North America.

There will be 70 volleyball courts set up on the Seaside beach in front of the Turnaround, where thousands of spectators will gather throughout the weekend to watch competitive beach volleyball while being entertained by this year’s world famous emcee, Jim Arico.

Admission is free, and fans and spectators are encouraged to bring a beach chair or towel to enjoy the sights.

The pinnacle of this year’s event will again be the Men’s and Women’s Open Doubles semifinal and championship matches, which begin at approximately noon on Saturday.

A standing-room-only crowd is expected to watch the climax of the tournament, won last year by Tate Walthal and Kjell Nilssen (Men’s Division) and the tandem of Vero Baudon and Ilga Celmins (Women’s). A record 640 teams took part in the 2002 tournament.

In addition to all the competition, the Oregon Sports Authority will host a free mini-camp for youth ages 10-16. The camp will take place from 9 a.m. to noon Sunday, and will introduce young players to the fundamentals of volleyball.

The third annual Seaside Beach Volleyball Tournament Hall of Fame awards ceremony will be held at approximately 5 p.m. Saturday on the Center Court Complex main stage; and sponsors of the tournament will recognize one of the many student-athletes who participate in North Coast high school athletics while maintaining high academic standards by offering the athlete with a $1,000 scholarship, presented by the Seaside Chamber of Commerce.

If you go …What: 22nd annual Seaside Beach Volleyball Tournament

When: Friday, Aug. 8 through Sunday, Aug. 10. The tournament begins at 8 a.m. and ends approximately 7 p.m. each day

Where: Seaside’s main beach, in front of the Turnaround

Special event times: Men’s and Women’s Open semifinal and championship matches, approximately noon on Saturday

Coca-Cola Men’s and Women’s Open Championship ceremony, approximately 6 p.m. Saturday on the Center Court main stage

Minute Maid free beach party, approximately 8 p.m. Saturday in Center Court Complex

Oregon Sports Authority free kids mini-camp, 9 a.m. to noon, Sunday