While you may enjoy digging your feet into the sand at Ft. Myers Beach, the artists participating in the 31st Annual American Sandsculpting Championship and Beach Festival on Nov. 17-26, 2017, take the powdery substance to new heights. Literally. More than 2,000 tons of sand will be piled and sculpted into approximately 40 works of art.
This endeavor is the largest sandsculpting event in the United States, called a “Must See” by USA Today and CNN Travel, and ranked as one of the “10 Best Sand Sculpting Competitions in the World.”
And this year, there will be more sculptures and new things to do.
Watch World-Class Master Sand Sculptors, an Advanced Amateur State Championship contest, Amateur contest, Quick Sand Speed Sculpting and Sand Sculpting Demonstrations. There will also be a Kids Zone with bounce houses and slides, more than 50 vendors, food, photo opportunities and live music.
Who the Sandsculpting Championship Competitors Are
More than 25 Sand Sculptors and hundreds of amateurs will participate in the event. The Master Sand Sculptors represent 8 different countries and more than 10 states. Collectively, they hold over 400 competition medals, and many are world champions.
The first week will be the Master Solos and Amateur divisions. The second week will be the Master Doubles and Advanced Amateur State Championship divisions.
The Solo Master Sculptors include:
- John Gowdy from New Jersey. Winner of national, international, and world First Place awards in nearly every master sand sculpture competition globally
- Melineige Beauregard from Canada. Winner of nearly every master competition in America, Grand Champion of the 2011 “Quick Sand’ competition at the World Championship of Sand Sculpting–Sarasota, and 1st place Solo at the 2011 Canadian Sand Sculpting Competition
- Brian Turnbough from Illinois. First place and Sculptor’s Choice winner, multiple years, American Sand Sculpting Championship–Ft. Myers Beach
Read bios of the Sandsculpting Championship participants.
Awards ceremonies will be on Sunday, Nov. 19 and Sunday, Nov. 26.
Sandsculpting Championship Details
The 31st Annual American Sand Sculpting Competition is held at Wyndham Garden Hotel located at 6890 Estero Boulevard on Fort Myers Beach.
Guests are welcome to attend daily from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
View the Sandsculpting Championship Event Schedule to see what is happening each day.
Admission is just $7 and free for children age 4 and younger.
Follow the Sandsculpting Championship Facebook page for updates throughout the competition.
The Sandsculpting Championship Event Map shows where all the action takes place.
Book your Sun Palace Vacation Homes property close to the Sandsculpting Competition.