Chamber announces more details on American Sand Sculpting Championship

The Fort Myers Beach Chamber of Commerce announced more details for the 36th Annual American Sand Sculpting Championship, which will take place at the Diamondhead Beach Resort November 19-23.

This year’s championship will celebrate America’s 250th birthday with the theme “Stars, Stripes & Sand: Sculpting the American Story.”

The five-day event will feature 29 world-class master and advanced amateur sand sculptors, representing 10 states, as well as countries such as Mexico, the Netherlands and England.

There will also be hands-on sculpting lessons, professional sand sculpting demonstrations, quick sand speed-sculpting shows and a dedicated sand play area for children.

More than 80 vendors are expected to participate, joined by live entertainment.

The event will be held on the beach behind DiamondHead Beach Resort and the neighboring Estero Island Beach Club property at 2000 Estero Blvd. on Fort Myers Beach. Event hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily.

Awards will be presented on Sunday, Nov. 22, followed by a final day on Monday, Nov. 23 for the public to visit the sculptures, along with plein air art activities presented by the Fort Myers Beach Art Association.

Last year’s championship drew more than 15,000 attendees, according to figures provided by the Fort Myers Beach Chamber of Commerce.

“Fort Myers Beach is a special piece of paradise. It’s a 7-mile island lined with beautiful sugar sand beaches, perfect for making intricate, giant sandcastles,” said Bill Knight of The Sand Lovers, LLC. The organization works with the chamber and DiamondHead Beach Resort to put on the event.

“We are super excited about the response we are receiving from both the sculptor and spectator communities,” Knight said.

Fort Myers Beach Chamber of Commerce President Jacki Liszak said this year’s theme of “Stars, Stripes & Sand: Sculpting the American Story” is “an opportunity to celebrate not only the

incredible talent of our sculptors, but also the stories, traditions and spirit that bring us together as Americans.”

The Amateur Sand Sculpting Competition will take place Saturday, November 21, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.,with awards at 4 p.m. Registration is $10 per person/sculptor, and participation is limited to 20 plots on a first-come, first-served basis.

Admission is $10 at the door, with discounted advance admission available for $8. Family packs and

weekend packs will also be available. Advance ticket sales will open online October 1, 2026, at

www.fmbsandsculpting.com.

For complete event information, the current schedule, sculptor lineup, parking information, amateur aompetition details and event updates, visit www.fmbsandsculpting.com.

Volunteers are also needed to help make this year’s championship a success. Community members

interested in volunteering are encouraged to visit www.fmbsandsculpting.com for sign-up details.