• Alternate Text
  • Loading

  • Health Observed
  • Crossword
  • Contests
  • Newsletters
  • e-Newspaper App
  • Longboat
    • News
    • Cops Corner
    • Real Estate
    • Business
    • Neighbors
    • Opinion
  • East County
    • News
    • Real Estate
    • Business
    • Neighbors
    • Schools
    • Sports
    • Opinion
  • Sarasota
    • News
    • Cops Corner
    • Real Estate
    • Business
    • Neighbors
    • Schools
    • Sports
    • Opinion
    • Siesta Key
  • Arts + Entertainment
    • Eat + Drink
    • Arts + Culture
    • Reviews
    • Things To Do
    • Black Tie
    • Spotlight Partners
  • LWR Life
  • Galleries
  • More
    • Hurricane Season
    • Red Tide Map
    • Health Observed
    • Sand Bucket List
    • Calendar
    • Celebrations
    • Contests
    • Tributes
    • Submit a Celebration
    • Submit a Tribute
    • Public Notices
    • Classifieds
  • Longboat
    • Longboat
    • News
    • Cops Corner
    • Real Estate
    • Business
    • Neighbors
    • Opinion
  • East County
    • East County
    • News
    • Real Estate
    • Business
    • Neighbors
    • Schools
    • Sports
    • Opinion
  • Sarasota
    • Sarasota
    • News
    • Cops Corner
    • Real Estate
    • Business
    • Neighbors
    • Schools
    • Sports
    • Opinion
    • Siesta Key
  • Arts + Entertainment
    • Arts + Entertainment
    • Eat + Drink
    • Arts + Culture
    • Reviews
    • Things To Do
    • Black Tie
    • Spotlight Partners
  • LWR Life
  • Galleries
  • More
    • More
    • Hurricane Season
    • Red Tide Map
    • Health Observed
    • Sand Bucket List
    • Calendar
    • Celebrations
    • Contests
    • Tributes
    • Submit a Celebration
    • Submit a Tribute
    • Public Notices
    • Classifieds
  • Health Observed
  • Crossword
  • Contests
  • Newsletters
  • e-Newspaper App

PHOTO GALLERY: 40th Annual Sand Sculpting Contest


  • By Rachel S. OHara
  • | 4:00 a.m. May 8, 2012
  • Siesta Key
  • Neighbors
  • Share
PHOTO GALLERY: 40th Annual Sand Sculpting Contest
One group wrote out “40 Years Of Sand Sculpting” and incorporated it into their piece, Saturday, May 5.
One group wrote out “40 Years Of Sand Sculpting” and incorporated it into their piece, Saturday, May 5.
“50 Yards To The Outhouse”
“50 Yards To The Outhouse”
Kevin Cooper, Leslie Gnaegy and Jason Puckett were the judges for the 40th Annual Sand Sculpting Contest.
Kevin Cooper, Leslie Gnaegy and Jason Puckett were the judges for the 40th Annual Sand Sculpting Contest.
Hundreds of people participated and viewed the sand sculpture creations made, Saturday, May 5, during the 40th Annual Sand Sculpting Contest on Siesta Key Public Beach.
Hundreds of people participated and viewed the sand sculpture creations made, Saturday, May 5, during the 40th Annual Sand Sculpting Contest on Siesta Key Public Beach.
Cliff Richardson and his brother Bud Richardson work together on their piece, Saturday, May 5.
Cliff Richardson and his brother Bud Richardson work together on their piece, Saturday, May 5.
Andrew Dailey works on sculpting his piece “Pirecan”, Saturday, May 5, during the 40th Annual Sand Sculpting Contest.
Andrew Dailey works on sculpting his piece “Pirecan”, Saturday, May 5, during the 40th Annual Sand Sculpting Contest.
Ken Shields and Mollie Morgan work on their piece, “Castle by the Sea”, Saturday, May 5.
Ken Shields and Mollie Morgan work on their piece, “Castle by the Sea”, Saturday, May 5.
Spectators wandered around the sand sculptures to vote and take photos of the sand sculptures.
Spectators wandered around the sand sculptures to vote and take photos of the sand sculptures.
Andrew Dailey won 1st place and People’s Choice with his “Pirecan”.
Andrew Dailey won 1st place and People’s Choice with his “Pirecan”.
Justin Muklewicz, Lukas LaBanauskas and Greg Ratzael work on their piece, Saturday, May 5.
Justin Muklewicz, Lukas LaBanauskas and Greg Ratzael work on their piece, Saturday, May 5.
Daria Muklewicz, 12, and Gabija LaBanauskaite, 14, made a mermaid out of sand.
Daria Muklewicz, 12, and Gabija LaBanauskaite, 14, made a mermaid out of sand.
“Close Encounters of the Sand Kind”
“Close Encounters of the Sand Kind”
Holly Arey
Holly Arey
Annie Baez, 10, and Natalia McNabb, 10, bury their friend Jaymie Hager, 6, Saturday, May 5, during the 40th Sand Sculpting Contest.
Annie Baez, 10, and Natalia McNabb, 10, bury their friend Jaymie Hager, 6, Saturday, May 5, during the 40th Sand Sculpting Contest.
Linda Bjorkquist and Gary Wolf
Linda Bjorkquist and Gary Wolf
This sculpture had a dragon eating a person lounging on the beach.
This sculpture had a dragon eating a person lounging on the beach.
Katie Downer, 14, works on carving a sign out of sand.
Katie Downer, 14, works on carving a sign out of sand.
Ricky Arey, Jay Bush, Chris Goosney and Holly Arey work on their creation “Lightning”.
Ricky Arey, Jay Bush, Chris Goosney and Holly Arey work on their creation “Lightning”.
Daniela Florio, 4 ½, had fun participating in the Sand Sculpting Contest, Saturday, May 5.
Daniela Florio, 4 ½, had fun participating in the Sand Sculpting Contest, Saturday, May 5.
All the winners posed together, Saturday, May 5, after competing in the 40th Annual Sand Sculpting Contest.
All the winners posed together, Saturday, May 5, after competing in the 40th Annual Sand Sculpting Contest.

 

Latest News

Three arrested, two of them juveniles, for armed robbery of a convenience store
  • February 20, 2026
Three arrested, two of them juveniles, for armed robbery of a convenience store
Manatee County extends its burn ban until further notice to protect residents and animals from wildfires. This photo was taken by the East Manatee Fire Rescue in June 2024 when over 100 acres burned at Lake Manatee State Park.
  • February 20, 2026
Manatee County extends burn ban as drought worsens
The bar formerly known as Cock & Bull, Big Top Live and The Parrot Live will retain its "Old Florida charm," new owner Frank Giuffre says.
  • February 20, 2026
Noted Sarasota bar property sells to investor pledging revitalization
The school district has partnered with University of South Florida in order to create the new offerings at Gulf Coast Academy of Innovation & Technology at Brookside.
  • February 19, 2026
Brookside Middle School undergoes transformation to attract new students

Sponsored Health Content

Sponsored Content

The best of Your Observer, delivered directly to your inbox

Get the latest in news, sports, schools, arts and things to do in Sarasota, Siesta Key, Longboat Key and East County.

Sign Up

Latest in Neighbors

Don and Tammie Gursky prepare to renew their vows.
  • February 14, 2026
Couples renew vows on Siesta Beach on Valentine's Day
Sarasota nonprofit Casting For The Kids helps children with cancer and their families breathe a little easier.
  • February 6, 2026
Annual fishing tournament casts for a cause
Thomas Modly adjusts the flagpoles as the sun sets.
  • February 5, 2026
Patriots Pier in Siesta Key receives new flagpoles
Sarah Firstenberger was named CEO of the Siesta Key Chamber of Commerce in June.
  • February 4, 2026
Siesta Key Chamber’s new leader takes the helm
Steven Mark plays the drums.
  • January 14, 2026
Local drum circle members join musicians on stage during Meetup gathering
Mark Garland, Theresa Andrews, Ann Palmer and Denise Costa prepare for the race.
  • January 11, 2026
Runners turn out on Siesta Key Beach to keep Andrew Monroe's legacy alive

App

Download the Your Observer app

Stay in the know with the latest local news. Any device, anytime, anywhere.

DOWNLOAD NOW

Contact

  • 1970 Main St.
  • Third Floor
  • Sarasota, FL 34236
  • Phone: 941-366-3468
  • FPN Verified

Extra, Extra!

  • Newsletters
  • App
  • Crossword
  • Contests

more

  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Classifieds
  • Advertise
  • Rack Locations
  • Jobs
  • Privacy Policy
  • Accessibility Options

sister sites

  • Business Observer
  • Jax Daily Record
  • Orange Observer
  • Accessibility Options
  • Copyright © 2026 Observer Media Group Inc., All Rights Reserved
Sign Up for Daily Headlines

A daily dose of news from Longboat Key, East County, Sarasota and Siesta Key.

Sign Up for In Case You Missed It

A Saturday dose of the week's top stories from Sarasota, Longboat Key and East County.


The Your Observer App is Here!

Get local news you can trust — now on your phone, tablet or laptop. Fast. Free. Easy to Use.
Stay informed, wherever you are.

Download Now