• Alternate Text
  • Loading

  • Holiday Gift Guide
  • 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
  • Holiday Gift Guide
  • Health Observed
  • Crossword
  • Contests
  • Newsletters
  • e-Newspaper App

Siesta Key hosts annual Crystal Classic

The sand sculpting competition continued throughout the weekend and onto Monday.


  • By Anna Brugmann
  • | 10:58 a.m. November 12, 2017
  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
  • Share

Veterans, amateurs and spectators all had a place on Nov. 10-13 on Siesta Key Beach for the annual Crystal Classic sand sculpting competition. 

As returning and first-time sculptors carefully shaped their sand in the masters competition, amateurs tended to the details of their masterpieces. Meanwhile, crowds meandered through Siesta Key's temporary art gallery. 

Allisyn and Melissa Cheng
Allisyn and Melissa Cheng
Walter MacDonald sculpts his submission to Siesta Key's 2017 Crystal Classic.
Walter MacDonald sculpts his submission to Siesta Key's 2017 Crystal Classic.
Abram Waterman works on his submission to Siesta Key's 2017 Crystal Classic.
Abram Waterman works on his submission to Siesta Key's 2017 Crystal Classic.
Emily Hykes, Shannon Hykes and Annie Wells
Emily Hykes, Shannon Hykes and Annie Wells
Juliana, Bianca and Victoria Grebing watch as Abram Waterman and Walter MacDonald work on their submission to the 2017 Crystal Classic.
Juliana, Bianca and Victoria Grebing watch as Abram Waterman and Walter MacDonald work on their submission to the 2017 Crystal Classic.
The sand sculpting event took place on Nov. 10-13 on Siesta Key Beach.
The sand sculpting event took place on Nov. 10-13 on Siesta Key Beach.
Soo Heng Tan and John Gowdy (not pictured) work on their submission to the 2017 Crystal Classic.
Soo Heng Tan and John Gowdy (not pictured) work on their submission to the 2017 Crystal Classic.
Marielle Hessels and Sue McGrew work on their submission to the 2017 Crystal Classic on Siesta Key.
Marielle Hessels and Sue McGrew work on their submission to the 2017 Crystal Classic on Siesta Key.
Marielle Hessels smiles while working on her submission to the 2017 Crystal Classic.
Marielle Hessels smiles while working on her submission to the 2017 Crystal Classic.
Jack and Lily Bennett watch as Marielle Hessels and Sue McGrew  work on their submission to the 2017 Crystal Classic.
Jack and Lily Bennett watch as Marielle Hessels and Sue McGrew work on their submission to the 2017 Crystal Classic.
Max and Eric Stockdale.
Max and Eric Stockdale.
Reclamation took third place in the Crystal Classic International Sand Sculpting Festival.
Reclamation took third place in the Crystal Classic International Sand Sculpting Festival.
Styro Siren by Andrius Petkkkus and Gresham Glover
Styro Siren by Andrius Petkkkus and Gresham Glover
Crystal Classic International Sand Sculpting Festival sculptors pose for a photo near the entrance of the festival.
Crystal Classic International Sand Sculpting Festival sculptors pose for a photo near the entrance of the festival.
Moonrise Over the Pond by John Gowdy and Joo Heng Tan.
Moonrise Over the Pond by John Gowdy and Joo Heng Tan.

 

Latest News

Sarasota City Attorney Joe Polzak and City Auditor and Clerk Shayla Griggs during a meeting of the Sarasota City Commission.
  • December 5, 2025
Sarasota charter official evaluations begin this month
You'd better watch out: Tow-away zones set for Sarasota holiday parade
  • December 4, 2025
You'd better watch out: Tow-away zones set for Sarasota holiday parade
A satellite image of Hurricane Irma.
  • December 4, 2025
Hurricane season ends without Florida landfall
Sarasota Police Department personnel monitor Sarasota's network of cameras, license plate readers, gunshot detectors and other devices in the nearly completed Real-Time Operations Center.
  • December 4, 2025
SPD set to grow its city camera system

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

The moon shines between a pair of "Florida Reindeer."
  • December 4, 2025
Holiday display at Selby Gardens boasts over 2 million lights
Shane Rawley poses for a photo on Dec. 2 at Shaner's Pizzeria with his three published books. From left: "A February Thaw: A Peter Cobb Adventure," "January Freeze: A Peter Cobb Adventure" and "Peter Cobb: Three Strikes You're Out."
  • December 4, 2025
Former MLB pitcher and local pizzeria owner is an author
Eighth grader Mikayla Ross works with teacher Joseph Conner.
  • December 4, 2025
Tutoring nonprofit helps raise students' success rates
Laura Oliff-Maxey and Barbara Braun
  • December 4, 2025
Mothers Helping Mothers strengthens its toy drive effort
Sarasota City Y is a Vital Part of the Community
  • December 4, 2025
Sarasota City Y is a Vital Part of the Community
Sarasota Police Department on Dec. 2 gave away $2,000 in gasoline at three city stores, first offering to take photos with unsuspecting patrons.
  • December 2, 2025
Gas patrons fill up on Sarasota Police's giving spirit

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 © 2025 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