Michigan City’s third annual Singing Sands Sand Sculpting Festival is underway, bringing some of the world’s greatest sand sculptors to the city for a professional competition and exhibition. Visitors can see the artist’s work-in-progress, tour 40 different artisan vendor stalls, and enjoy it all from the balcony of Sunset Grille – perched directly above all the festivities.
The festival runs through Sunday, June 7 and features 17 competing sculptors representing nine states and two countries – including a number of master sculptors. Spectators can walk between the unique works of art that are crafted entirely from water and Michigan City’s famous “Singing Sands.”
“We’re incredibly excited, we’ve added two more sculptors to the lineup this year, with six masters and 11 semi-professionals,” said Terry Greetham, Director of Special Events for Michigan City. “Last year we had 21 art, craft, and merchandise vendors, this year we have 40. The event keeps growing and getting more and more exposure.”
A variety of live entertainment options and activities are also on each day’s schedule, including sculpting shows, live music, beach bars, and more under the Sunset Grille’s giant pavilion. The grille is open to those who have paid to enter the festival – with tickets at the gate costing just $5, children aged 6 and under enter free with a paying adult.
“We love this event, it doesn’t get better than this and we’re proud to be a part of it,” Julie Krause, general manager of Sunset Grille, said. “This is our third year working with the city and the sculptors on this, and they’re an amazing group. We’ve got a bird’s eye view of the sculptures from up here at our Cantina. It’s really just an experience that you can’t beat.”
One activity running under the Sunset Grille Cantina each day is the Quick Sands Speed Sculpting Show, where two sculptors compete against each other to craft the most exciting sculpture of an object decided by the audience.
For those who work up a hunger touring the sculptures or taking part in activities, Sunset Grille is offering a full bar and hot dog buffet throughout the event.
“We’ve got a lot to offer,” Krause said. “If you leave hungry, you probably came hungry!”
On Saturday, the Festival will also play host to the Community Challenge, an event where local companies and organizations will compete to raise money for various LaPorte County charities.
Greetham, who conceptualized the event, described the festival as an encapsulation of what the Michigan City community is all about.
“When I started this festival, I’d already been thinking about it for so many years,” he said. “I’d spent 25 years in professional racing, and had traveled all over the world. I saw events like this in different places and having grown up in Michigan City I thought ‘why haven’t we done this here?’ We have one of the most beautiful beaches in the world, so it’s a natural fit. It’s the best way to show people how beautiful our beach really is.”
The Singing Sands Sculpting Festival is made possible by its sponsors, including: NIPSCO, Horizon Bank, General Insurance Services, and Visit Michigan City LaPorte. The festival gates open at 10 a.m. on June 8 and 9 – for a full schedule of activities, visit www.emichigancity.com. For more on Sunset Grille, visit sunsetgrilleatthebeach.com.
