reativity was on full display last month at Front Beach for the Isle of Palms Recreation Department’s Piccolo Spoleto Sand Sculpting Competition as sculptors shaped and molded their whimsical masterpieces and vied for sand art supremacy. Forty-five teams and more than a hundred people participated in the annual event, according to Kelsey Marsh, recreation supervisor for special events with the IOP recreation department. Teams ranged anywhere from one to four people. This year marked the 35th anniversary of the competition, and the 25th year that the recreation department has coordinated the event, said Marsh. For the first 10 years it was presented by Piccolo Spoleto. The contest features different categories based on age group and other factors, including an Adult 19 IslandVibesIOP.com C COMMUNITY IOP Sand Sculpting Competition continues to stand the test of time By Colin McCandless A sign in the sand acknowledging 35 years of the Sand Sculpting Competition. Children’s category winner, “Wish Upon a Starfish.” Best in Show overall winner, “Riverdogs Days of Summer.” category (ages 21 and up), Young Adult (ages 15-20), Family (at least one adult and one young adult/ child), Children for kids 14 and under and a Best Architectural and Most Creative category. Additionally, the coveted Best of Show is presented to the overall winner of the competition. The most sand sculpting sites were in the Adult and Family categories, with 20 and 15 teams respectively. In 2024, Best of Show was awarded to “Riverdogs Days of Summer,” an impressive scale model depicting the Charleston Riverdogs’ stadium Joe Riley Park, complete with stands, field and all. The overall winner in the Children’s division was “Wish Upon a Starfish.” In the Young Adult category, “Kung Fu Wave” rode the breakers to victory. “Sea Biscuit” won the Charlie Peberdy Memorial Best of Family Award by a nose. Best Architectural went to “Giant Castle by the Sea,” and “Big Al” claimed the title of Most Creative. The Best of Adults was awarded to “Saving Money,” a noble goal for any adult. Competitors are required to follow a few simple rules when constructing their sand art. Their sand sculpture must be predominantly built with sand and water. The use of hand shovels, buckets, trowels, shaping or forming tools, temporary forms and shoring and other miscellaneous hand tools are permitted. Utilizing wheeled vehicles to assist in the transporting of sand or construction process is prohibited. Inorganic, toxic or non-biodegradable sand stabilizers such as spray paint or glue are also not allowed. For more information on the event, visit iop. net/recreation/special-events-holiday-activities/sand-sculpting-contest. Sand Sculpting Competition 2024 Winners Best of Young Adults 1st - Kung Fu Wave 2nd - Game On! 3rd - Just Chum Best Architectural 1st - Giant Castle by the Sea 2nd - Sease Family Drip Company 3rd - Breach Inlet Icon Best of Adults 1st - Saving Money 2nd - Dorchester Paws 3rd - Americans in Paris Best of Children's 1st - Wish Upon a Starfish 2nd - Future Island Living 3rd - Cat Ate the Fish Best of Family (Charlie Peberdy Memorial Award) 1st - Sea Biscuit 2nd - ATL Shawty 3rd - Bluey Most Creative 1st - Big Al 2nd - Garfield 3rd - Isle of Bones Best of Show Overall Riverdogs Days of Summer Photo Provided by IOP Recreation Department.
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