Florida’s 7th Annual Crystal Classic International Sand Sculpting Festival

Vacationing in Siesta Key during November is a fascinating time, because the events don’t stop for the “winter” months of Florida. Booking our Siesta Key lodging in November never means that you won’t find any action or energy, in fact, the opposite is true. You’ll find the hotels on Siesta Key hopping with sand enthusiasts, artists, and visionaries who are excited to create the most thrilling temporary structures on Florida’s coastline.

Every year in November, Florida is struck by a whirlwind of impressive artistic teams, who merge onto the sands of Siesta Key for the Annual Siesta Key Classic International Sand Sculpting Festival. The festival runs from November 10 to 13, and features sculptures from international masters to amateurs. November 11 opens with a Master’s Competition, followed by voting for the People’s Choice Award. Sand sculpture lessons are scattered throughout this day, highlighted by the afternoon Master’s Competition and voting. Live bands entertain the crowd throughout the full event.

November 12 and 13 begins with the amateur competition, with the masters competing in the afternoon. The official awards, given by official sandcastle competition judges, are announced on the 13th. Voters choose their favorites when the competition begins wrapping up.

This event has been a Florida favorite since 2010, when master sand sculptor Brian Wigelsworth met with the Siesta Key Chamber of Commerce and other government bodies. He proposed an event to draw in November crowds, and the result was a competition that attracts master sandcastle builders worldwide. The sands of Siesta Key are soft, malleable, and easy to manipulate, which is what attracted Brian to the area and keeps everyone coming back year after year.

When Brian approached the various government bodies about a Sarasota competition, those involved felt that the event would present a positive economic impact for Sarasota and Siesta Key. When the first year brought in more revenue than expected, Sarasota excitedly planned a yearly event, and the Crystal Classic was born. It is now a local tradition, which residents and tourists alike anticipate.

The Sarasota competition is modeled after Brian’s experience in Virginia, Texas, and Washington. The “masters” earn that title by first winning the amateur rounds, such as Siesta Key’s May competition. This win earns them a spot on the master’s list in November. The masters have a mere 24 hours, spread over four days, to complete their masterpieces. Some tower up to ten feet, and create a beautiful art gallery right on Siesta Key beach.

Named America’s #1 Beach in 2015 by TripAdvisor, Siesta Beach is a favorite for master sand sculptures. Many have noted the cleanliness and beauty of the soft white quartz sands, resulting in marble-like images. While the 2016 competitors have not been named, we hope to see some repeat winners, such as Enguerrand David and Leonardo Ugolini. His team won the competition in 2015 with their sculpture, “Tender Loving Care.”

This sculpture depicted a building wrapped in a comforting baby blanket, as if the building were being held by warm, loving care. Entirely created from sand, the definition is astounding – the building clearly has peaks and windows, while the blanket appears to be something you’d want wrapped around you on a cold night. You’ll see several incredible works of art just like this if you plan on attending and staying in one of the hotels on Siesta Key.

Come to the sandcastle competition this year, and experience the true beauty of sand sculpture art firsthand while enjoying a relaxing winter beach vacation. Get more information by visiting the website at www.siestakeycrystalclassic.com, or give us a call at (941)-349-1125. We’ll help you find comfortable Siesta Key lodging and answer any questions you may have when you contact us about this fascinating event.