Ocean City’s 40th sand-sculpting art day will take place July 11.
Four decades have passed since the first official sand-sculpting contest on the beaches of Ocean City. Wednesday, July 11, will be the 40th year for the annual tradition held at the 6th Street beach.
Last year the contest included 50 entries in six age categories. The divisions included families, single adults, teenagers, those age nine to 12, six to eight and five-year olds. Another division was also included for Upper Township’s Keep Elementary Youth Safe (K.E.Y.S.) Day camp, which helps working parents care for their children before and after school and during summer vacation by providing them with a safe, fun environment under the supervision of certified instructors.
Participants are invited to watch the competition in the various divisions as families and artists are challenged to use as much of their creativity as they can in molding and shaping the beach sand and utilizing elements such as seaweed and seashells.
Last year, the Kacabot family from Cleveland, Ohio, won the family division with a sand-sculpted automobile and the Seventh Street Surf Shop family of Ocean City having followed up behind with their octopus sculpting.
Families have sculpted some creative images using coloring to create a sun and palm trees as well as Bob Marley.
The Dash family from Allentown, Pa., entered the competition last year for the first time, sculpting a massive mermaid holding a starfish with a seashell bikini top.
“Sand sculpting is always a fun event for Ocean City,” said yearly visitor Abby Worel from Philadelphia. “It’s like going out to a laid back art gallery on the beach.”
The art gallery is like none other, with massive castles and fortresses to creative personal works such as Galloway resident Bruce Welch’s “Agony of Defeat,” which won last year’s first place in the single adult division.
Winners have included a sculpting of Curious George, which was won by Hannah Riden of Lancaster, Pa., in the teen division and Winnie the Pooh sun-bathing, won by Natalie Zakroff of Hainesport in the nine to 12 division.
From sea turtles to volcanoes and mountains of drippy castles and Disney characters, the sand sculpting contest is a creative outlet for kids, families, adults and artists as well as anyone who wants to use the sand as their canvas on a nice beach day to create their own unique project.
Past sculptures have also included sand couches, the Sphinx of Egypt, sea animals, King Neptune’s Palace and birthday cakes.
Artists anticipate the event and hope for a clear day and tide that won’t threaten to wash away their masterpieces.
July 11’s event is the first of two sand sculpting competitions. The second one will be held on Aug. 1.
Sand sculpting art begins at 9am on the 6th Street beach. For more information call 525-9300. n
Thursday, July 5
Broadway Musical –Crazy for You!
Hughes Performing Arts Center, 6th Street and Atlantic Avenue
Thrilling song and dance tunes of George Gershwin. The Ocean City Pops In collaboration with the Ocean City Theatre Company. $25. 2pm and 7:30pm. 525-9300.
oceancitypops.org
Friday, July 6
Nor’easters vs New Jersey Rangers
Carey Stadium, 6th Street and Atlantic Ave. Half-time events include continuation of the July 4th celebrations, celebrate American Independence with the Nor’easters. $8 Adults $4 Kids. 7pm. 525-9999. OceanCityFC.com
Sam Robb Memorial Beach 5k & Fun Run
40thSt. beach. A beach run to benefit the Sam Robb Fund within Cure Childhood Cancer. The Sam Robb Fund supports a pediatric research fellow in oncology. Cure Childhood Cancer is dedicated to conquering childhood cancer through funding target research and support of patients and families. 1-800-443-CURE.
Saturday, July 7, July 8
Ocean City Pops
Music Pier, Moorlyn Terrace and Boardwalk. Rodney Mack’s Big Band Brasscomes to the Music Pier, along with the POPS’ brass and percussion musicians. Tickets $15/10. 8pm. ocnj.us. 525-9300.
Sunday, July 8
Glad In Concert
Ocean City Tabernacle, 550 Wesley Ave, free admission. 7pm. 399-1915. octabernacle.org.
Temple University Football Meet and Greet
Music Pier, Moorlyn Terrace and Boardwalk. Join members of the Temple University Football team for a autograph session. Don’t miss your chance to wish them luck in what promises to be an exciting season in the BIG EAST. Meet members of the Spirit Squad and take pictures with everyone’s favorite mascot Hooter the Owl. Free. 11am. 215-204-6710. owlsports.com.
Monday, July 9
Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day
Music Pier. Moorlyn Terrace and Boardwalk. Alexander is having a bad day. But then, everybody has bad days, sometimes. In this delightful adaptation of her popular book, Judith Viorst sets Alexander’s rather trying life to music and brings to the stage one of America’s feistiest characters. $9. 10:30am. 525-9300. ocnj.us.
The Bacon Brothers
Music Pier. Moorlyn Terrace and Boardwalk. $32. 8pm. Tickets through 1-800-745-3000 or at
ticketmaster.com. (See p. 60)
Wednesday, July 11
Ocean City Pops - American Tribute
Music Pier, Moorlyn Terrace and Boardwalk. Celebrate a great annual tradition of patriotic tunes, Sousa marches and a tribute to our veterans. Also featuring baritone Neil Nelson. Capped off by an audience favorite – The 1812 Overture. Tickets $15/10 8pm. 525-9300. ocnj.us.
Sand Sculpting Contest
6th St. Beach. First of the season. Free. 9am. 525-9300.
Thursday, July 12
Chip Miller Surf & Turf
Surf contest at 7th St. beach and mini tournament at Tee Time Mini Gulf, 7th and Boardwalk. Family surf and mini golf tournament to raise money and awareness for the rare disease Amyloidosis. Afterparty, Greate Bay Country Club, Somers Point. $30 per surfer. $5 per golfer. Afterparty $50. 231-1562 or visit chipmiller.org/surffest.
For the first family of American folk, Ocean City is a traditional stop on a nationwide tour that’s filled with late-night highways, city skylines and crowds of music lovers both new and old.
On Sunday, May 13, the Ocean City Music Pier (Moorlyn Terrace and the Boardwalk) is hosting a free, open-to-the-public Mother’s Day Family Concert.
This summer, a major impending change that could break more than 100 years of tradition is facing Ocean City, New Jersey.
Ocean City has been adroit at attracting tourists to the resort town in a number of quirky ways. This week it didn’t need to lift a finger to draw a large gathering, in a way it would probably prefer forgoing in the future.
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1. Anonymous said... on Jul 7, 2012 at 12:33AM
“i wish more artists knew about this because i think it would really bring out the art community if it were marketed more by the coordinators of the event! Good story, though!”