Crystal Classic draws international artists

The Siesta Key Crystal Classic Master Sand Sculpting Competition draws more than 30,000 people to the Key each year, both to compete and to watch.

Twenty-four master sculptors are participating this year, Maria Bankemper, chairwoman of the Crystal Classic, said. The masters hail from all over the world; seven nationalities will be represented.

The festival will run for five days, an extra day this year, from Friday, Nov. 14, through Tuesday, Nov. 18. Entry is $6 each day, or $15 for five days.

The finished products will be on display Monday and Tuesday, when a special walkway will be placed on the beach to allow easier access for those attendees with limited mobility.

This year, the Quick Sand competition will be a battle between Captain Curt’s Oyster Bar and Daiquiri Deck, which will each sponsor 12 of the master teams. In 10 minutes, two teams of master sculptors will have to create an artwork of the audience’s choice. Then, the audience will vote on the winner. The competition is bracket-style, with the final rounds held on Sunday.

Free parking is available at the public beach parking lots, but it’s limited; attendees are encouraged to ride routes 10 or 11 of Sarasota County Area Transit to get to the event. The bus will pick up riders at the Sarasota Pavilion and Southgate Mall.

The Siesta Key Crystal Classic vendor village will be open from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Friday through Monday. The village is set up on the beach near the sculpting area.

Friday, Saturday and Sunday will also feature live entertainment; this year’s main event sponsor is Margaritaville. The franchise, owned by Jimmy Buffett, will set up a party tent with drinks and music near the entrance to the competition and will host a fashion show on a 40-foot sand runway Saturday and Sunday.

Proceeds of the event go to Mote Marine Laboratory for turtle research and conservation. The grand prize for the contest is $15,000.

Brian Wigelsworth, the founder of the sand sculpting competition and one of 250 master sculptors worldwide, is excited to see the event enter its fifth year.

“Siesta Key is the best natural beach sand,” he said.