Sculptors ready to shape Siesta Key

Sand sculptors who will be participating in this weekend's Siesta Key Crystal Class Master Sand Sculpting Competition on Siesta Beach were out Wednesday morning working on a special group sand sculpture. The master sculptors and local sculptors worked away on a 6-foot-tall, 300-ton sand centerpiece that features the logos of the event sponsors.

The Siesta Key Crystal Classic Master Sand Sculpting Competition will officially begin Thursday, Nov. 18 and will run through Sunday, Nov. 21.

Eleven teams of two sculptors will compete for $18,000 in prize money. The event also includes live music, hands-on sand sculpting classes, an amateur sand sculpting competition and a vendor village featuring local businesses.

Proceeds from the Crystal Classic will benefit Mote's Sea Turtle Conservation and Research Program. Learn more about the program at www.mote.org/seaturtles.

People can view the event for free but in order to get upclose a ticket is needed. For more information about tickets and other aspects of this event, visit: www.mote.org/crystalclassic.

Contact Rachel O'Hara at [email protected].