Sand Sculpture Contest carves out tradition

Residents and visitors participate in the 44th annual Sand Sculpture Contest.

  • By Amanda Morales
  • | 12:03 a.m. May 8, 2016
  • Siesta Key
  • Neighbors
  • Share

Before there was the Crystal Classic sand-sculpting competition, the sand belonged to the locals participating in the annual Sand Sculpture Contest. 

Residents and visitors scooped, brushed, smoothed and scraped the soft sands of Siesta Key Beach for the 44th annual Sand Sculpture Contest on Saturday, May 7. 

Andrea King, recreation supervisor for Sarasota County Parks, Recreation and Natural Resources took feedback from returning participants last year and re-organized the contest groups. This year participants could enter in one of four categories: Child (ages 8 and under); Youth (ages 11 to 17); Adult individual; Adult team.

“I just love the atmosphere and people are engaged and it’s such a unique event,” King said. “What a way to to highlight this part of Siesta Key Beach?”

Among the participants were father and daughter duo Bruce and Olivia Peck. Returning participant Bruce helped coach his daughter during the competition on her piece with “Humpty Dumpty” in the child category while he worked on “Clownin’ Around” in the adult individual category. When they are competing in competitions Bruce and Olivia are practicing sand sculpting. 

“This is definitely our home beach,” Bruce Peck said. 

Bruce Peck blows grains of sand from the cap of his creation
Bruce Peck blows grains of sand from the cap of his creation "Clownin' Around."
Olivia Peck concentrates on the face for her sculpture
Olivia Peck concentrates on the face for her sculpture "Humpty."
Matthew Downer takes a break from building to rest.
Matthew Downer takes a break from building to rest.
Dave Downer rounds out the form for
Dave Downer rounds out the form for "Star Wars" droid BB8.
An outline of R2D2 was among the droids in Dave Downer's sculpture
An outline of R2D2 was among the droids in Dave Downer's sculpture "May the 4th Be With You!"
Returning Sand Sculpture champions Alec and Dave Muklewicz form the towers for their
Returning Sand Sculpture champions Alec and Dave Muklewicz form the towers for their "Tree Trump Tower."
Angela Albertson works on the face for
Angela Albertson works on the face for "Kracken Up."
Angus Kirby and Samuel Dorril finish their entry
Angus Kirby and Samuel Dorril finish their entry "A Beast Turtle Family."
Long-time competitor Damon Meri brushes sand from
Long-time competitor Damon Meri brushes sand from "Solemn Morbidity."
Nicole Goosney strengthens the wall for the team effort of
Nicole Goosney strengthens the wall for the team effort of "Who You Gonna Call?"
Beachgoers took in the 44th annual Sand Sculpture Contest on Siesta Key Saturday morning.
Beachgoers took in the 44th annual Sand Sculpture Contest on Siesta Key Saturday morning.
Darlene Gorman and Ryan McIntosh dedicated their sculpture to moms.
Darlene Gorman and Ryan McIntosh dedicated their sculpture to moms.
Lilly Loo carves the shell of her sculpture
Lilly Loo carves the shell of her sculpture "Turtle Talk."
Mike Bradley sets up
Mike Bradley sets up "Arch Enemies." He describes it as a battle between rounded and square arches.
Nathaniel Guerrero was inspired by Mother's Day to build
Nathaniel Guerrero was inspired by Mother's Day to build "Mother Nature."

 

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