Original sand sculpting event set to entertain
The 25th annual American Sand Sculpting Competition and Beach Festival gets under way today, Wednesday, Nov. 2, at GullWing and Pointe Estero resorts with master sculptors working on the Group Carve Sculpture.
Officials of the original Fort Myers Beach competition/festival are excited about the five-day event that is expected to entertain more than 50,000 spectators throughout the week and afterwards. The competition culminates with the award ceremony at 3 p.m. Sunday.
Sixteen of the World’s top master sculptors that compete on a national level will begin individual carvings on Thursday with a sand buildup at the two SunStream Properties and compete for top honors during the weekend. Galleries will be open daily from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
“The master sculptors actually go from cooperative to competitive,” said Greater Fort Myers Beach Area Chamber of Commerce President John Albion, the event organizer.
“This year, for the first time, we will be featuring sculptors from three continents and six countries, which I expect will astound all of us,” said Event Chairman Andrew Cochrane.
Cochrane stated the local chamber organization, a non-profit group, is thrilled about its new partnership with the SunStream Property neighboring resorts.
“We are all excited about our new partnership with Sunstream Properties to take this event to a whole new level,” he said.
The competition is being combined with a weeklong festival on and off site to give this multi-facet event some community firepower.
Besides the featured masters’ competition, there will be amateur competitions on Sunday involving two children’s age divisions, a family division and a corporate division. If interested in participating, contact the Chamber office at 454-7500.
For the sand sculpting spectator, there are scheduled educational teaching clinics, a vendor village and a parking lot party.
“The Party on the Pavement on the north side of GullWing’s parking lot will have music, food and vendors,” said Albion. “It’s going to be a fun time and an escape from the sand.”
Combining those activities with off-site events such as a luau and an all-day entertainment party gives festival attendees a reason to stay on Estero Island.
Due to traffic congestion and limited parking around the event site, festival-goers are encouraged to use the free parking/ shuttle service provided at Lovers Key State Park. The free shuttle bus will transport anyone to and from the Gullwing’s event entrance.
“Parking at the actual event site is extremely limited and does cost money so everyone is encouraged to use the complimentary parking at Lovers Key,” said Albion. “To avoid congestion and traffic, we highly recommend traveling to Lovers Key from the south via Bonita Beach Road and take advantage of the free transportation service.”
Cochrane has been involved with the event for seven years and has fronted it for six years, so he knows what the annual event can provide Beach residents and visitors alike.
“This is the original sand sculpting competition that is done to show how magical our sand can become,” he said. “We have been recognized as a Top 20 event for the entire southeastern United States by the Southeast Tourism Society, and we are a regular on the state tourism videos because of the great sculptors we continue to attract.”
Although much of the event is open to the public at no cost, there is a fee for those who desire a closer look during competition days. Anyone can purchase a VIP pass at the event at the Fort Myers Beach Chamber tent Friday, Saturday or Sunday for a World-class view and a chance to get up close and personal with the sculptures and the sand sculpting masters. ?The revenue fee schedule, which includes day passes for individuals ($5), children ($3) and family ($10 for parents and immediate children age 18 and under), assures the Chamber can continue to provide annual events to the community (such as Spirit of the Holidays and Taste of the Beach) and services (such as membership benefits, staff pay, welcome center rental and more).
“The event was losing money without a fee and became popular enough that the expenses went up and, thus, not enough revenue,” said Albion. “This makes it where it is affordable. We capped it in such a way that we are not asking for more than what we need to make this event successful. That is why we have the family rate, so that bigger families are not left out.”
Competing Master Sculptors include Karen Fralich; John Gowdy; Sandis Kondrats; Carl Jara; Michel Lepire; Fred Mallett; “Amazin” Walter McDonald; Sue McGrew; “Sandy Feet” Lucinda Wierenga; Helena Bangert; Jooheng Tan; Greg J Grady; Wilfred Stijger; Edith Van Wetering; and Brian Turnbough; and Rusty Croft, who took third in last year’s qualifying championships. These 16 carvers have more than 35 combined World championships titles alone between them.
“This event is all in one area so, for the elderly spectators, it’ll be easier for them to get around,” said Cochrane. “It’ll be a festival-type atmosphere from the time you get off the bus from Lovers Key. It is being grouped together nicely as one big festival. It will be unique this year.”
For more information and a biography of the competing sculptors, visit the event website at www.sandsculptingfestival.com, visit the officials on Facebook at facebook.com/sandsculptingfestival, or call the Chamber of Commerce at 454-7500.
Here are a few things you can look forward to at this year’s festival:
– Sand 101: This educational area of the festival features professional sculptors teaching the secrets of building great sand castles. Children can participate in demonstrations and try out their new skills right there next to the pros!
– Party on the Pavement: This year, the event begins the moment you step off the shuttle! GullWing Beach Resort will be the main entrance to the event and will feature food and beverage outlets, vendors, music and games for children right in the parking lot! There is no fee to enter the event and walk around, however, there is a nominal fee to enter the sand sculpture gallery to see the sculptures up close.
– Sand Vendor Village: The village showcases a variety of vendors that feature everything from art and jewelry to novelties such as funnel cakes and ice cream. In addition, there will be photo opportunities, children’s activities and the best in local food and beverage vendors! SandVendor Village is the Official Vendor and Exhibitor area for the American SandSculpting Championship & Beach Festival. Situated next to the SandMaster competition area, SandVendor Village is the place to stop by for refreshments, shopping and more.
– Amateur Competition: Try your hand with a team to see what magic you can make out of the sand. This fun opportunity will take place on Sunday, Nov. 6. The winners are all recognized and announced at the same awards ceremony as the professional competition! Call 454-7500 for more information.
– Friday evening Luau Beach Fest: Junkanoo on the Beach and The Red Coconut RV Resort are proud to sponsor Luau Beach Fest on Friday, Nov. 4, 2011 at Junkanoo’s 3040 Estero Blvd. location.
The Luau Beach Fest is one of the many fun events at the 25th Annual American Sand Sculpting Competition and Beach Festival.
Tropical winds will caress your skin beachside as Hula Girls welcome you with leis. Satisfy your appetite with a tropical buffet and pig roast. Hula Girls and fire-throwing Warriors entertain with a Conch Shell Call and Torch lighting ceremony at 6 p.m. The Polynesian Show continues until to 9 p.m. But the evening is still young, so stay and enjoy the island breeze kissed with the sounds of a steel drum band. A cash bar is available.
John Gowdy will perform “Flying Colors” twice during the evening at 7:30 p.m. and 9 p.m. Proceeds from the sale of the paintings will go to purchase phone cards for our overseas military. Kick off the Veterans Day holiday and help give our overseas military the gift of speaking with a loved one back home. Check out John’s paintings at www.youtube.com/watch?v=YXAItQB_Yo0 .
Tickets are on sale now: $30 per person includes parking, seating at a table with the artist directly on the beach, full tropical dinner buffet and a special gift; $20 per person includes parking, elevated seating inside the restaurant and full tropical dinner buffet; $100 per person includes only seating for the show.
For more information, visit the Fort Myers Beach Chamber of Commerce at www.bit.ly/LuauBeachFest2011
You may call to order tickets or stop by the following places to get tickets:
– ?Junkanoo on the Beach, 4030 Estero Blvd. or call 463-2600.
– The Red Coconut RV Resort at 3001 Estero Blvd. or call 463-7200
– The Greater Fort Myers Beach Area Chamber of Commerce at 17200 San Carlos Blvd. or call 454-7500.
– Saturday all-day Sand Fest Street Party: Nervous Nellie’s Crazy Waterfront Eatery is proud to sponsor Sand Fest Street Party 2011 at the establishment’s 1131 First Street location on Saturday, Nov. 5.
Sand Fest is one of the many fun events at the 25th Annual American Sand Sculpting Competition and Beach Festival.
Hungry? Enjoy your all of your favorite food choices on the biggest menu on Fort Myers Beach at Nervous Nellie’s Crazy Waterfront Eatery. Listen to live music with no cover and free appetizers starting a 1 p.m. Widen your adult beverage horizons with beer, wine and liquor tastings. Free parking at Nervous Nellie’s and under the Matanzas Pass Bridge.
The bands stage schedule is as follows:
– 1 to 5 p.m. – No Way Jose on stage at Nervous Nellie’s
– 6 to 10 p.m. – Flash Forward on stage at Nervous Nellie’s
– 6:30 to 10:30 p.m. – Mary Winner Band upstairs at Uglie’s?
John Gowdy will perform his flying colors presentation twice during the evening. Proceeds from the sale of the paintings will go to purchase phone cards for our overseas military. Kickoff the Veterans Day holiday and help give our overseas military the gift of speaking with a loved one back home for the holidays. See John Gowdy perform “Flying Colors” at www.youtube.com/watch?v=YXAItQB_Yo0.
For more information, go to http://bit.ly/Sandfest2011 or call Nervous Nellie’s at 463-8077.
-information provided by Lauri Albion