25th Annual World Championship of Sand Sculpting in Fort Myers Beach, November 17-27

Oct. 27, 2011 - PRLog -- Mark your calendars for the World Championship of Sand Sculpting. It’s the first time the event has ever been held in Florida! For 11 days, master international sand sculptors will hit Fort Myers Beach for this world-class 25th annual event.

Charlie Beaulieu, event director and a World Championship winner twelve times over, and Bill Knight of Sand Lubbers, co-director, have teamed up with Jason Camp, event host with Big C Events, to bring this world-class sand sculpting competition to Fort Myers beach for everyone to enjoy.

Bring your family and friends to experience this rare opportunity and see a collection of the world's top sand sculptors create unique works of art over the course of 4 days. Participating sculptors had to qualify and be personally invited to attend this prestigious event; they represent fifteen nations from around the world. The competition judges are themselves an international mix of experts.

The sculptors will build their entries starting November 17th and compete until the 20th. After that, winners will be announced. From November 21st until the 27th, the remaining sculptors will be on-site to create additional exhibition art, answer questions about their masterpieces and interact with the attendees.

Guests are welcome to attend daily or at anytime from November 17th until the 27th. Detailed event hours are as follows; Monday-Thursday from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Friday and Saturday from 9:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. and Sunday from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. For a more detailed schedule of activities and event information, please visit: http://www.worldchampionshipofsandsculpting.com/fmb/world...

There will be many interactive activities for guests to partake in during this event including:

•   Watching world-renowned sand sculptor, John Gowdy, create a painting on a spinning canvas to music known as “Flying Colors”

•   Kids activities area, sponsored by Extreme Air Interactive Entertainment will include a 50’ inflatable obstacle course, trampoline, bungee jumping, rock climbing wall plus acrobatic and stilt walking performers, balloon artists, face painting and more!


•   Chain Saw Art Demonstrations

•   Sand Sculpting Demonstrations where attendees will learn how the Masters create their works of art

•   Interactive Photo Opp Sculptures - Holiday themed, attendees can step inside and have their photo taken for use as holiday cards, etc.

•   Amateur Sand Sculpting Contest, all ages welcome

•   Tuesday, November 22nd, The Beach Arts Cooperative announces The Orpheus Players' performance of an original play, “Sisters of the Sea” on Ft. Myers Beach – located on a stage set in the sand behind the Holiday Inn. Starts at 6:00 p.m. with an opening reception and 7:00 p.m. show time. $30 ticket price includes hors d’oeuvres and cash bar. For ticket information, please call 239-463-4461 or visit: http://beachartscooperative.org/

•   Live Music Daily

In addition, sculptors will compete in "Quick Sand" speed sculpting competitions to create works-of-art from a pile of sand in just 10 minutes!

Pre-event discounted tickets are available for purchase at the following locations:

•   $16.99 for 2 tickets (also includes $10 towards food and beverages) now available at Costco Wholesale locations in Fort Myers, Estero and Naples

•   $5 tickets for adults and kids at all 7-11 stores in Lee and Collier County starting Friday, October 28th (includes coupon for $20 Off Key West Express)

•   $5 tickets for adults and kids available at all Pinchers Crab Shack locations (http://www.pincherscrabshack.com) and the Holiday Inn Fort Myers Beach available starting Wednesday, October 26th

Tickets at the event are just $6 for adults, $5 for children 5 to 17 years old and those 4 and under are free. For more information on the event, please visit: http://www.worldchampionshipofsandsculpting.com.

A designated portion of the event proceeds will be donated to the “Eliminate Project” sponsored by Kiwanis International and UNICEF. For specific details about this cause, please visit: http://sites.kiwanis.org/Kiwanis/en/theELIMINATEproject/home.aspx.

LOCATION & TRANSPORTATION
The World Championship of Sand Sculpting will be held at the Holiday Inn located at 6890 Estero Boulevard on Fort Myers beach. Attendees are encouraged to arrive from the south in order to avoid traffic congestion. Event directors have coordinated a revolving bus system to transport attendees from the Lover’s Key parking area to the site. Parking is also available in the Publix shopping center at Bonita Beach Road and U.S. 41 where the Lee County beach “Trollee” will pick up attendees.

PLEASE NOTE: Interviews with master sculptors available upon request. Images of previous sculptures also available upon request.