NYC Parks Hosts 2016 Sand Sculpting Contest in Coney island This Weekend

NYC Parks Commissioner Mitchell J. Silver, FAICP, will join City Council Member Mark Treyger, State Assembly Member Pamela Harris, Brooklyn Community Services and Astella Development Corporation to judge the 26th Annual Coney Island Sand Sculpting Contest.

The contest will take place on Saturday, August 20, 2016 from Noon to 4 p.m., with judging at 3 p.m. at the Coney Island Beach Boardwalk (between West 10th Street and West 12th Street).

The Coney Island Sand Sculpting Contest features amateur and semi-professional sand sculpting artists of all ages. There are cash prizes for top winners in the family, individual adult and group adult sand sculpting categories. Judges will base sand sculpting winners on unique creativity and artistic execution.

Last year, the Coney Island Sand Sculpting Contest attracted more than 10,000 attendees from the U.S. and around the world to check out the sand artistry. This year's fun, festive event will feature a music DJ, a performance by the Santos Latin band, Brooklyn Dance Center and Coney Island Brooklyn Public Library representatives showcasing the children's summer reading program. An original sand sculpture to salute the BCS 150th anniversary year-long celebration will be built on the beach during the contest.

The Coney Island Sand Sculpting Contest is co-sponsored by NYC Parks and the Alliance for Coney Island. This event is FREE and open to the public.