Siesta Key sunset

2017 Siesta Key Classic

Hurricane Irma won’t stop us from having a great time this year! The 7th Annual Siesta Key Crystal Classic, has been a major spectacle for the past several years. Bring your family and join us on Siesta Key Beach from Nov. 10 – 13th for live music, amazing sand sculptures and plenty of kid-friendly activities on Siesta Key.

Starting November 10, 2017, the Siesta Key Classic draws artists from around the world who have participated in sand art competitions.

From breathtaking sandcastles soaring up to ten feet in the air or more, to intricate human faces and figures that might remind spectators of Egyptian or Greek sculpture, there is no shortage of unique and mind-blowing sights to marvel at when you visit this event.

Festivities begin on Friday, a day-long schedule that includes live music, sand sculpting demonstrations and lessons, vendors and a party tent. Food and drinks, including beer, are offered. Saturday sees more of the same, in addition to an amateur competition, a 10-minute speed-sculpting contest, and an arts and crafts session for kids. Sunday marks the big day: find out who takes home the $5,000 First Place prize!

The fun extends into Monday, where the people vote for their favorite work of art and the winner gets the People’s Choice Award. Vendors remain on site through Monday, so you can continue to enjoy food, products and services offered by local establishments. Tickets cost $10 per day or you can purchase a 4 day Pass. Children ages 5 – 7 are $5.

Past competitors include former cast members of the TV show Sand Masters, seen on the Travel Channel, as well as international competitors from Canada, Russia, Portugal, Belgium, the Czech Republic and the Netherlands.

Who knew that a sandcastle competition could draw such talent from the far reaches of the country and the world? Well, it’s not hard to do, considering the pure whiteness of the sand and the fact that Siesta Key is a top-rated beach in America. Sculptors have said that their creations look as if they are sculpted from marble using the sand on Siesta Key.

More Than Just a Sandcastle Competition

What started as conversations between Siesta Key resident and master sand sculptor Brian Wigelsworth and area chambers of commerce among other organizations quickly grew into a major community event. The Siesta Key Classic turned out to be an opportunity to spark the local economy, generate interest in the arts and create a fun event for children and adults alike.

The positive impact on the Siesta Key community is undeniable: the event draws as many as 40,000 attendees, nearly half of whom travel from outside Sarasota County. Of course, many of the attendees will be looking for high quality and convenient hotels on Siesta Key. Those seeking lodging when attending this fascinating event will find plenty of great lodging choices at Tropical Breeze Resort, all within walking distance of Siesta Key Beach.

What does such an event mean for businesses? Well, if you’re a business owner on Siesta Key or in nearby Sarasota, you’ll have a unique opportunity to expose your brand to a large audience from all over the U.S. and the world. Be a vendor at or sponsor of the Siesta Key Classic and see the positive impact it will have on your business. Whether you’re a retailer or in the food business or a fishing charter company, you can fill a vendor spot at the Siesta Key Classic competition. Your sales and brand awareness just might go up faster than a sandcastle in a speed-sculpting contest!

Whether you’re looking for Siesta Key hotels, Siesta Key pet-friendly rentals, or beachfront hotels on Siesta Key, Tropical Breeze Resort has everything you’re looking for!

If you are interested in sponsoring or participating in any way in this esteemed sandcastle competition, or are seeking information about hotels on Siesta Key or Siesta Key lodging near the event, you can contact Tropical Breeze Resort at (941)-349-1125 or the Siesta Key Chamber of Commerce at (941)-349-3800 for more details.

Plan Your Siesta Key Getaway

Book your stay in the best Siesta Key resort, Tropical Breeze Resort, today and experience a vacation like no other!

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