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SandFest draws sculptors from around world
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| Crowds check out vendors at last year's SandFest, above, while sculptors mimic their award-winning sculpture in the background. |
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Each year, Texas SandFest draws dozens of sand sculptors and thousands of spectators to the beach in Port Aransas.
The 12th annual Texas SandFest will be held April 18-20 on the beach Between Avenue G and Access Road 1A.
SandFest's intricately carved large-scale sculptures display a wide spectrum of subject matter, from the whimsically humorous to the solemnly serious.
Two years ago, a creation titled "The Pirate Bunnies of Easter Island," showed a group of cartoonish rabbits wearing pirate garb and posing with a treasure chest.
New this year will be a handicap drop-off area next to a tent for handicapped visitors who will be escorted to see the sculptures.
Perhaps SandFest's biggest grabber each year is the event's towering centerpiece sculpture, carved from 250 tons of sand. Theme of this year's centerpiece is "Sandcstles Galore."
SandFest also includes booths and tents with souvenirs, food, auctions, jewelry, art and much more. A youth tent includes a sand box, games, coloring contest, shell game and other activities.
SandFest is a non-profit organization operated by a board of directors that raises money from festival proceeds for various Port Aransas non-profits.
Last year, SandFest raised money to benefit Port Aransas Community Theater, Friends of the ARK, the Port Aransas Food Pantry and the Art Center for the Islands.
The non-profit organizations got cuts of proceeds in exchange for supplying volunteers to help run the festival.
More information about SandFest is available at www.texassandfest.com.
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