Traveling to Festivals: Ft. Myers Beach Sandsculpting Event

Photo Credit: www.TLTravels.com

Photo Credit: www.TLTravels.com

Fascination with taking wet sand and creating magical castles and figures starts with kids’ first trips to the beach. This fascination never ends with some people and in fact, becomes an art form. At Ft. Myers Beach in Florida the 22^nd Annual American Sandsculpture Championship Festival just concluded where about 20 amateurs and master sand sculptors competed and showcased their art. Overlooking the Gulf of Mexico, the free event takes place beachside at the Outrigger Beach Resort and the Ft. Myers Beach Holiday Inn. More than 75,000 were estimated to attend the four-day event.

The weather cooperated as these artists carved, sculpted and created statues and figures made of sand beyond most people’s imagination. A few personal favorites at this year’s competition include a bigger than life size pirate, complete with a “wooden” peg leg and a parrot on the shoulder; a depiction of Wall Street with a large man holding the money and a smaller man holding the bail out; and a living sea featuring a mermaid with ocean friends. Truly, the details result in amazing works of art and not the typical sand castles most of us created at one time or another with a bucket!

One weather element that entered Southwestern Florida during the competition was some increased wind, which does not necessarily mix well with Ft. Myers Beach fine, white powdery sand. However, one trick of the trade I learned was that the artists mix some Elmer’s glue and water to spray a type of coating to help set the sand and to prevent the intricate details from disappearing.

Those locals and barefoot tourists alike who attended the sand castle festival also had the opportunity to enjoy the various award-winning beaches nearby in addition to Ft. Myers Beach, including Lovers Key and Lighthouse Beach on the neighboring Sanibel Island. For those looking to escape the start of winter, head south to Florida the first weekend of November each year to not only enjoy the warm, tropical weather; but, to also take in some sand wonders that are only here for a week.

Three winners were announced at the closing of the event: Thomas Koet from Florida for his sand sculpture named “Paris”; Canadian Michel Lepire for his piece called “Pristine Nature”; and John Gowdy from Italy for his creation titled “Jack’s view above the clouds and over the moon.”

To see additional photos, visit the festival’s photo gallery.