Tag Archives: Siesta Key

Siesta Key Crystal Classic Sand Sculpting

A new annual event took Sarasota by storm in it’s inaugural year.  The amazingly successful event was inspired and directed by 2 master sand sculptors – Bill Knight and Brian Wigglesworth.  As experienced sand master sculptors,- unlike any other event directors could – they hit a home run first time up!

The Siesta Key Crystal Classic Master Sand Sculpting Competition brought 11 teams of master sand sculptors together to compete for cash prizes.  The proceeds from the first annual event benefited Mote Marine Laboratory’s Sea Turtle Conservation and Research Program.  In addition to the competition, the event included sand sculpting lessons, an amateur competition, live music, a vendor village and other fun family activities.  We were so happy to be there to videotape the entire event.

If you weren’t there for the first year…make sure you don’t miss this year’s event.  And if you don’t live here, plan a trip!

Sarasota Florida Beaches Best Rated in The US

Plunge your bare feet into the pure white sand of Siesta Key beach, and you’ll understand how beach sand can be trademarked: Worlds Finest, Whitest Sand™.   In fact, in the Great International White Sand Challenge, this sand was scientifically proven to be the world’s finest, whitest finest beach sand.  First time visitors are amazed by the temperature of this perfect barefoot beach.  The sand is 99% pure quartz, so regardless of the temperature – this incredibly soft sand never heats up!

You just can’t beat this location for a vacation.  This wide, flat, crystal white beach is truly kid friendly with its gentle gulf waves.  There’s a large shaded pavilion with food, changing rooms and retail shops, a number of picnic areas, tennis courts and a playground.

Dr. Beach ranks beaches using 50 criteria from softness of sand, condition and temperature of the water, slope, currents and sand and water color.  He also considers amenities, lifeguards, cleanliness and competition for resources.  Siesta Key Beach repeatedly ranks in the top 10 and in 2010 was ranked the #2 beach in US by Dr. Beach.

The Travel Channel describes Siesta Key beach sand as “soft and white as sugar” and rates it 5 out of 5 in swimming, sand and child friendliness.   See their article on Siesta Key beach here.

And Siesta Key isn’t the only great beach in Sarasota County you’ll want to visit.  Go diving or look for shark teeth in Venice or enjoy the solitude at Caspersen Beach.  And if you have your best friend along – visit Brohard Paw Park and Dog beach.  You can let your four legged friend off leash to play in the surf.  The park is on the island of Venice at 1600 Harbor Dr. S.

All in all, we locals know how lucky we are to live near these wonderful beaches.  Come on down for a vacation, the water’s fine!

Sarasota Florida Sand Sculpture


Matt Long – master sand sculptor from NY – at the 1st annual Siesta Key Crystal Classic Master Sand Sculpture festival. This event was held to benefit Mote Marine sea turtle research.  Ten teams of master sculptors competed for $9000 in prize money.  The 3 day event also included live music and sand sculpting lessons.  Numerous local volunteers and businesses were involved in making this first ever master competition a success.  The crowd was estimated at 40,000+ for the first annual 3 day event.

The dates for the second competition have been set for November 10-13, 2011.