Sand Sculptures to Transform Siesta Beach During 10th Annual Crystal Classic

Watch 8 teams and 8 solo artist sand sculptors from around the world compete during the tenth annual Siesta Key Crystal Classic International Sand Sculpting Festival, which takes place on Siesta Beach, 948 Beach Road, Siesta Key, Florida. The festival will open this Friday, Nov. 15, winning sculptures will be declared during an awards ceremony at 3 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 17, and visitors can continue viewing the sculptures and vote for People’s Choice until the festival closes at 5 p.m. Monday. People’s Choice results will appear at: www.facebook.com/SiestaKeyCrystalClassic

And it’s more than just sand…the festival also features live music throughout the event along with a large village of shopping and food and drink vendors. Other activities include the popular three day “Quick Sand” competition, free sand sculpting lessons and demos and an amateur competition on Saturday.

Billy Jack, co-host of the popular Jones and Company morning show on 107.9 WSRZ will be on location Saturday, Nov. 16th from 1-3pm.

The festival will be open Saturday and Sunday night until 9 pm with live music by 22N Saturday night and Reverend Barry & The Funk Sunday night. The sculptures will be lit through a fabulous light display and the party tent will be open until closing time.

A portion of the proceeds from the Siesta Key Crystal Classic will benefit student scholarships at Ringling College of Art and Design and will assist talented, creative students so that they may be able to pursue their dreams of higher education in art and design. “The Siesta Key Crystal Classic has been a great artistic event since its beginning in 2010. Talented artists come from all over the world to create masterpieces of ephemeral art. We are pleased to support Ringling College of Art and Design, a notable artistic resource in our community, and their talented student body,” says Bob Parkinson, Siesta Beach Festival Board Member.

The Siesta Key Crystal Classic is owned by Siesta Beach Festival, Inc., a 501(c)3, non-profit corporation. The festival is produced by the Siesta Key Chamber of Commerce to promote tourism, local businesses and the visual arts through a collaborative partnership with the community.