Vacation Rick: June 2023

Sunday, June 4, 2023

34th Annual Piccolo Spoleto Sand Sculpting Competition--It was Sandtastic

Every time I vacation on a beach, I can't help myself. I have an irresistible urge to dig around in the sand and sculpt something, usually hammerheads or sea turtles. One time, I sculpted a human head with its hands sticking out of the sand. I added seaweed for hair and etched in the sand the words, "Help me." A couple walking along the shore stopped and asked me if I did it for a living and whether I worked for the resort as a sand sculptor. I slyly smiled and said no.

Sand sculpting contests have been a long standing tradition for one of Charleston's barrier islands, where sun and beach lovers gathered once again on the sands of that barrier island for the 34th Annual Piccolo Spoleto Sand Sculpting Competition. Front Beach, on the Isle of Palms, is the famed sandy shore where it all takes place. I have been taking pictures of the event since 2011.

It was high tide when the competition began at 9 am, so the transforming sand piles were stretched across the beach for a good distance from near the pier on down far beyond Coconut Joes, where the main tent was set up and awards handed out to the chosen.

Competitor divisions included children ages 14 and under; young adult, 15 to 20; family - at least one adult and one child or young adult; and adult, 21 and older. Prizes were awarded to the top three in each category, along with the additional judged categories of Most Creative, Best Architectural and Best in Show. Judges included News 2's Carolyn Murray, Rob Fowler, and Brendan Clark.

List of winners in each category are as follows:

Best of Children's