30th Annual American Sandsculpting Championship, 11/21/2016

From November 18 through the 27th, Ft. Myers is holding its annual sandsculptng competition at the host site, Wyndham Garden in Ft. Myers Beach. More than 45,000 people attend each year.

The event is sponsored by the nearby Seminole Casino Hotel (www.moreinparidise.com) along with multiple additional supporting sponsors and media. 

A schedule of daily events can be found at www.fmbsandsculpting.com. Tickets for one day are $7/per and $15/per for three days (and dogs are permitted!) The competitions include: Master Solo Sculptures (16), Master Duo Sculptures (five teams of 2), Advanced Amateur National and State Championships, and Amateur Sculptures. The Master Solo Sculptures had been completed and judged the previous day. 

The 16 master sculptors are from 6 different countries and 10 states and hold a combined total of over 400 medals. A brochure is provided when you pay your admission fee that contains bios on the master sculptors in the competition along with the names of the Advanced Amateurs (10) competing this year.

Here are some of the Master Solo entries. 

Twisted by Melineige Beauregard (Canada) and Dream More While You Are Awake by Maxim Gazendam (Netherlands)

How I See It..., by Todd Pangborn (New York)

Merged by Bruce Phillips (California) and Organicity by Delayne Corbit (Canada).

Finding Peace by Brian Turnbough (Illinois) won 1st prize and Stardust by Jorvis Kivits (Portugal)

Heartache by Greg Grady, Jr. (New Hampshire) won 2nd prize.

Pillow Dream by Wilfred Stijger (Netherlands) won 3rd prize. 

Ugly Devil by Paul Hoggard (England).

Unnamed by Abe Waterman (Canada).

What...(cattus interruptus) by Bill Dow (Montana)

Temple in the Sky by Walter McDonald (Texas)...this was one of our favorites. 

Guardian by Remy Hoggard (Bulgaria) was my absolute favorite...just beautiful.

Master sand sculptors were on hand to answer questions about their art. An interesting tidbit is that when the sculptor is complete, it is sprayed with a substance similar to Elmer's Glue. This keeps the sculpture in tact even in rain (unless it is a torrential and long-lasting rainfall). Demonstrations were occurring where the Master Duo competition will be held.

There are restaurant, drink (including alcoholic), and merchandise vendors. A large tent with stage is used to present awards, musical entertainment, and demonstrations. 

A kids area has some activities for children including a rock climbing wall, sand area, and water balls. 

You can request (for a fee) a special inscription or design on Sculpture Mountain. 

Below are some of the amateur contest sculptures. More will be completed in the days ahead. 

After enjoying the sand sculptors we went for a walk on the expansive, white-sand beach here in Ft. Myers. Jet skis, umbrellas, beach chairs, etc., can be rented here. 

The sights along the shore are always interesting and our sweet doggy, Sadie, met lots of new friends (both canine and human). The Ft. Myers beach is one that still allows leashed dogs. 

Because we have already paid for admission for two more days, we will be back to check out the Master Duo and amateur competition sculptures. When I worked in Rio De Janeiro in the 1990s, we saw a sand sculpture competition at Ipanema Beach, and this one was just as good! When you look at these creative works of art, you just have to say "Wow"!