Last week I ran a preview to the Texas SandFest and promised more pictures this week. I have to provide a little disclaimer. Since my deadline for posting for Sunday is Saturday, I had to be satisfied with the sculptures state of readiness. The artists have until Sunday noon to finish their work for judging. You will get an idea of the work even though they are unfinished at this time.
This first photo is of the sculpture honoring our military personnel.
Here is a closer look at the work.
The heart reads “Thank you Troops and Vets” with a subscript saying “military smiles.”
Here is a shot of the finished side honoring those who fell in the Texas Revolution
The fourth side of the honor piece is a tribute to the Alamo and the people who lost their lives.
There is also a huge sculpture recognizing the sponsors of SandFest
The next photo shows three of the Master exhibits under construction.
The next is an artist at work
Hard to miss the beginning of a hound dog. You can make out his face and crossed paws.
Pictured are three more under construction. It is interesting to see how the sculptures are built with the help of barrels.
takes a lot of water to keep the sand wet.
More construction
This photo shows how the artists work from middle to outside on bigger pieces.
The Story Reading Ape should like this one.
Here is a good example of building a sculpture on a wooden base.
Another using a barrel
Since last week I showed you the food trucks in a state of repose. I thought it would be fun to see one of them in their full costume.
The final shot gives you an idea of the number of vendors there are on site.
Fiction Favorites 
Thanks, John, for showing us the progress of the sculptures. It’s really interesting. I hope you’re having a great weekend. 🙂 — Suzanne
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I wish the same for you Suzanne. 🙂
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Amazing work John.
Hugs
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Thanks David. 🙂
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Their talent is amazing. I don’t know how they put so much of themselves into a piece that will easily succumb to a spring shower. Those food trucks immediately reminded me of carnivals and Coney Island!!
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The whole strip looked likeConey Island for sure. I also thought of a state fair midway. 😀
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Yes, that as well.
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So much talent and patience! These are incredible, John. I especially enjoyed the military sculptures. Happy Sunday!
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Thanks, Jill. Yes that was a super display.
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Stunning display… There must be a story behind each sculpture. And, I can’t help but wonder if their artistry began with building little castles at the water’s edge…. 🙂
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I think that could be the start. Thanks, Gwen. 😀
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Kinda puts my sand castles from my childhood to shame
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Ha ha h. I still build them but not like that. Thanks, Pamela. 🙂
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Haha. One of these pictured isn’t the fruits of your labor?!?!?!?
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Sadly, no.:-)
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Very cool. What are the black lines on the face one?
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Strips holding the sand together. They will be removed later.
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Cool. Thanks.
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🙂
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Happy Sunday, John. It was really interesting to see the partially complete sculptures; to see some of the process.
Do you mean there are actually trucks somewhere under all that decoration? Either way I have a sudden yen for junk food… 😀 Thanks for another delightful neighborhood stroll. Mega hugs.
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Oh, and re the ape sculpture — It seems our Story Reading Ape gets around! https://thestoryreadingapeblog.com/
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So true. 🙂
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WOW – They got my best side too 👍😃🐵
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I called them trucks but they are really trailers. Thanks, Teagan. 😀
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Still impressive. 😀 BTW… I succumbed to a half slice of leftover pizza… still craving junk food. LOL.
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I couldn’t just have a half. All or nothing. 😀
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It never ceases to maze what the human mind is capable of creating when it isn’t preoccupied with sex or cat videos…
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I know right? Thanks, Hook
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It’s astonishing how they can do this with sand. Just blows me away. I’ve been looking forward to this post John. Thank you so much for sharing these with us!
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Reblogged this on Words To Captivate ~ by John Fioravanti and commented:
Author John W. Howell delivers spectacular shots of the almost completed sand sculptures at the Port Aransas Texas Sandfest! Please, read on…
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Thank you , John
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You’re welcome, John.
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What a cool event. Seems your corner of the world does many fun things. I think you should get a tee shirt that says, “I’ll take your picture for $2,” and stand next to those signs. Interesting how the tribute pieces all have the same angle. Probably the point of failure for piled sand. The artistic pieces are probably the ones where the glue guy comes around to beat that angle of failure.
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I think you are right. Cave ins are common.
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All the best things about being down beside the seaside – I can also smell the hot dogs and caramel 😀
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And move the elephant and you can smell the peanuts too.
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ROFLMAO! 😛
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Wow!! What talent!
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I know right?
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It was a great weekend for this with plenty of sunshine. It is really bigger than I thought. I have never been to the Sandfest.. They are truly amazing works of art.
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You should come some time. Thanks, Jo.
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The tiny sand play-kit I had as a child “pails” by comparison. Sorry.
These are wonderful, John. Thanks for showing work in progress as well as finished products. Can I get nachos in a funnel cake?
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With or without peppers?
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Oh, with. Unless they’re Texas-hot
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Naw. These are not hot. Take a bite.
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What fun, John. I would be there all day, watching. How do they keep the sculptures from drying out and crumbling?
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A little water and Elmer’s glue keeps them in place.
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Amazing talent – and such fun to see!
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Thank you, Teri.
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Amazing, John. Those guys are so talented. I’ve seen it done on some of the beaches here in the UK, but nowhere near the scale of the event you have. Love the one of the ape. To think, they even know who our very own Chris is.
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Thanks, Hugh. 😀
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I didn’t turn on my computer yesterday, John. Thank goodness the Internet is forever, and I don’t have to miss these lovely photos! You had a beautiful day for taking shots, and the patience of these sand-artists is inspiring!
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Truly remarkable.
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My ex’s design build firm participated in these every year. His favorite time of year. Lots of work goes into them and they are fun to watch.
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Cool.
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This is absolutely fabulous, John. I’m amazed to see these artists at work – what a wonderful vibe there must be all over the place. Thanks so much for sharing it with us. 😎
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Thank you for the visit, Maretha.
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Wow, they incredibly talented! It was interesting seeing the barrels, and wood structure frames for the sand art. Thanks for sharing!
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Thanks, Deborah. 🙂
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What an amazing display, John! As someone from a family with a long and proud military tradition, I love the first one honoring the military. The artists are unbelievably talented. How many sculptures do you usually see in all at the Sandfest? Are the artists local or do they come from all across the country? What a fabulous event!
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Thanks, Michelle. The artists come from all over the world. The winning sculpture ws done by someone from the Netherlands. There are about 20 works. 😀
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They are certainly a talented bunch.
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That is for sure. 🙂
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