The Siesta Key Crystal Classic is This Weekend with Sand Castle Builders
This year’s Seista Key Crystal Classic International Sand Sculpting Festival runs across four days, from November 11th through 14th, using Siesta Key’s sugar-soft sand to create temporary works of art.
The event will draw 24 international sand sculpting master artists. Eight will compete in the solo competition, while eight teams of two will compete as duos.
They have 24 hours before the event kicks off on Friday, Nov. 11, to work on their sculptures. The winner, picked by a professional committee, will be named on Sunday, Nov. 13.
Last year, winners received cash prizes ranging from $1,000 to $6,000.
Attendees can vote for their favorites using wooden tokens purchased at the event on the event website and Facebook page until Monday, Nov. 14, at 5 p.m.
A People’s Choice winner will be crowned on Tuesday, Nov. 16.
There will be live music daily, dozens of food and retail vendors, plus sand sculpting demonstrations and lessons for the whole family. A full bar area will also be on site. Tickets to attend range from $5-$30 and can be purchased here.
The Siesta Key Chamber of Commerce, organizes the event which is expecting between 20,000 and 40,000 attendees, depending on the weather.
A portion of the proceeds from this year’s event benefits scholarships for Ringling College of Art and Design students.
Event hours are Friday, Sunday and Monday, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Click here for a detailed schedule.
Transportation on and off Siesta Key is available via the mobile app, at scgov.net/ondemand, or by calling (941) 300-1553, and the free Siesta Key Breeze Trolley will run daily from 8 a.m. to 10:00 p.m.