Matt Long gives a demonstration on competitive sand sculpting at Atlantic City, New Jersey’s booth at the recent New York Times Travel Show. The DO AC Sand Sculpting World Cup is on now through July 6 © 2014 Karen Rubin/news-photos-features.com
Ever wonder what 20 of the world’s greatest sand sculptors can do with 500 tons of sand? The skillful art of sand sculpting has returned to its Atlantic City roots this summer as the multi-week DO AC Sand Sculpting World Cup hits the free beach again with more action, world-class sculptors and a new location.
This year’s sand-sculpting event starts at noon on Thursday, June 19, and runs through the July 4th holiday weekend to Sunday, July 6. The viewing hours on the beach have been extended this year from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. every day of the competition.
The DO AC Sand Sculpting World Cup event is free and open to the public and the sand art will remain on display through July 6.
Throughout the middle of June, the most noted sand-sculpting artists on the planet will be on Atlantic City’s Pennsylvania Avenue beach, adjacent to the famed Steel Pier and the Landshark Bar & Grill, crafting their masterpieces. The award ceremony — during which the final sculptures will be on display — is scheduled for 6 p.m. on Friday, June 27.
Sand sculpting returned to its Atlantic City roots in a big way in 2013 with more than 130,000 people coming to Atlantic City see the sand sculpting competition. This year’s DO AC Sand Sculpting World Cup is looking to be the biggest event of its kind ever, with more talent, the biggest prize purse in the history of sand-sculpting, and the first-ever McCord Cup, named after famous sand-sculpting pioneer Philip McCord — who practiced his art, starting in the late 1890s, at the same Atlantic City beach where the competition is taking place this year —on the line.
The top 20 sculptors from around the world, recruited by event director and professional sand carver, Atlantic City’s John Gowdy, will come together on the beach at noon on June 19 to dig in and begin drawing and carving their lines in the sand. Gowdy has also secured a panel of the very best judges for this year’s competition.
This year’s event will include 500 tons of sand. This allows the artists to build higher and more detailed pieces. There are no agents used in the mixing of the sand during the work. It’s not until the sculpture is completed that a mix of biodegradable solution and water is sprayed on to provide a thin coating that helps the art stand up to the weather.
There will be categories for both Solo and Doubles carving. The Solo competitors will be actively carving 20 sculptures from June 19-22. The Doubles teams will be carving a total of 10 sculptures from June 24-27.
A demo sand sculpture created by Gowdy will be on display throughout the duration of the event and will be visible from the Boardwalk.
Also new this year, Cheekoting, a game of racing plastic marble-like balls on a sand course that developed on Italy’s lively beaches after World War II will be played on site at the DO AC Sand Sculpting World Cup. This will be the first time the game has been played before the public in the U.S. The course is like a mini-golf course built in sand, with hills, valleys and tunnels. Competitors will flick their plastic marbles along a very long and winding track approximately 1-foot wide, with banked sides so the balls doesn’t leave the track. The game will played on the World Cup site, near the Landshark Bar & Grill at Resorts.
To read more about this year’s event, the competitors, the history of sand sculpting in Atlantic City and for photos and video from last year’s event, visit doatlanticcity.com.
From sandals to stilettos and foie gras to funnel cakes, Atlantic City offers something for everyone. Enjoy world-class entertainment, dining, shopping, casino gaming, relaxing on the beach and strolling the historic Boardwalk in the city created to escape the city. For more information visit www.doatlanticcity.com or:
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