Siesta Key Crystal Classic Scholarship Fund Created for Ringling College of Art + Design Students

Siesta Beach Festival, Inc., the non-profit that produces the Siesta Key Crystal Classic International Sand Sculpting Festival every November on Siesta Key Beach, has announced a partnership with Ringing College of Art + Design.

 

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 a visual and cultural arts festival now in its 10th year and has hosted over 325,000 attendees on the best beach in the USA!

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, sand sculpting lessons and an amateur sculpting competition.

 

Beginning this year, the festival will be doing its part to help the environment by reducing the amount of single use plastic. There will be two Water Monsters on site where attendees can fill up for free using their own cup or by purchasing one at the festival. There will also be boxed water for sale at select vendors.    

The festival will be open Saturday and Sunday night until 9 pm with live music by 22N  

Saturday night and Reverend Barry & The Funk on Sunday night. The party tent will be open and the sculptures will again be lit through a fabulous light display.  

 

Visit the website: www.siestakeycrystalclassic.com, for information regarding the 2019 event schedule, volunteer opportunities, and to purchase advance tickets and parking passes.

Online ticket pricing:

Multi-day passes (all 4 days) = $30 per adult and $15 per child

One-day passes = $8, ($2 off gate pricing) per adult and $5 per child

Reserved parking passes = Friday through Monday ranging from $29 to $59.

 

Founded in 2010, The Crystal Classic is a result of discussions between master sand sculptor and Siesta Key resident Brian Wiglesworth and representatives of the Siesta Key Chamber of Commerce, the Greater Sarasota Chamber of Commerce, Sarasota County Parks and Recreation, Mote Marine Laboratory and Visit Sarasota County.