Nov 2, 2007

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE        Nov. 2, 2007

Contacts: Nancy Hamilton, Lee Rose, Katie Meckley
Lee County Visitor & Convention Bureau (239)338-3500

Sandcastle takes on a whole new meaning at 21st Annual American Sandsculpting Championship Festival on Fort Myers Beach 

FORT MYERS BEACH, FL – A sandcastle is no longer just a simple sand sculpture at the 21st Annual American Sandsculpting Championship Festival on Fort Myers Beach, Nov. 7 -11.

Master (professional), Florida State (semi-professional), and amateur sculptors will compete for cash prizes and trophies as they put their imaginations and artistic talents to work building masterpieces, ranging from the amazingly beautiful to the cleverly comedic.  Twenty-eight participants from around the U.S. and Canada will be competing at The Outrigger Beach Resort and Holiday Inn Fort Myers Beach. With the sugar fine white sand of Fort Myers Beach, this event is one of the preeminent professional competitions in the world and a favorite with participants.

The American Sandsculpting Championship Festival is not only a great time for participants, it is also a popular spectator event. It is expected that 65,000 people will come out to the celebrations this year. Event goers can build their own sculpture, watch the masters at work, or visit the Sand Magic Village. Located in front of Pointe Estero and GullWing Beach resorts, Sand Magic Village is a true beach shopping experience and will have over 25 vendors with fine artwork and exhibitors.

Master sculptors will begin on Wednesday, Nov. 7 and the Florida State sculptors will start on Saturday, Nov. 10  with amateurs starting Sunday, Nov. 11.  An Awards Ceremony will be held for all competitions at the Outrigger Beach Resort at 5:30 p.m. Sunday. 

Event goers can park at the Official Parking site located at Lovers Key State Park and take one of the three mini-buses that will be running back and forth to the event. Also, parking will be permitted at the North Field located north of Carl Johnson's Boat Ramp.  Additionally, the Town of Fort Myers Beach has added three trolleys to the Summerlin Square Depot.   Transportation at both locations will be for Saturday and Sunday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. and is free of charge.

For more details on the festival, call (239)454-7500 or log onto www.sandfestival.com .  For overnight accomodations, visit www.FortMyersSanibel.com

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