SIESTA KEY, Fla. — The iconic Siesta Key Crystal Classic returns to Sarasota this Friday and will transform part of Florida's Gulf Coast into an outdoor art gallery.
A total of 24 artists will compete in an international master sand sculpting competition on Siesta Key Beach, with some pieces reaching over ten feet tall, according to the event website. It's been a tradition in the city since 2010.
"Organizers felt this event would showcase Siesta Beach in a unique way by highlighting sand sculpting is an art form," the website states. "The first year was an overwhelming success and now the event hosts 40,000 attendees and generates millions in economic impact for tourism and our local community."
Here's everything to know about the 2024 Siesta Key Crystal Classic, which runs from Nov. 15-18.
Schedule and activities
Those who attend the free event will not only be able to browse through solo sculptures and team sculptures, but sand sculpting lessons, competitions, live music and food will also be available to the public.
Attendees can also vote for their favorite sculpture until 5 p.m. on Monday for the People's Choice Award. Judges will reveal the overall winners on Sunday.
Below is a full schedule of activities and times during the four-day festival.
Friday, Nov. 15
- 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. — Vendor Village / Food Court / Party Tent Hours of Operation
- 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. — Live Music featuring the Philharmonic Band
- 10:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. — Sand Sculpting Demos & Lessons
- 12:30 p.m. to 1 p.m. — Quick Sand Competition
- 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. — Live Music featuring Kettle of Fish
- 2:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. — Sand Sculpting Demos & Lessons
- 4:30 p.m. to 5 p.m. — Quick Sand Competition
Saturday, Nov. 16
- 9 a.m. to 10 a.m. — Amateur Competition Check-In (Advance Registration Only)
- 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. — Live Music featuring John Patti Project
- 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. — Amateur Sand Sculpting Competition
- 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. — Vendor Village Hours of Operation
- 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. — Lighted Sculptures / Food Court / Party Tent Hours of Operation
- 10 a.m. to 11:30 p.m. — Sand Sculpting Demos & Lessons
- 12:30 p.m. to 1 p.m. — Quick Sand Competition
- 1 p.m. to 2 p.m. — Sand Sculpting Demos & Lessons
- 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. — Live Music featuring Out of the Blue
- 3:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. — Sand Sculpting Demos & Lessons
- 4 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. — Amateur Contest Winners Announced
- 4:30 p.m. to 5 p.m. — Quick Sand Competition
- 6 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. — Live Music featuring From the Edge
Sunday, Nov. 14
- 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. — Live Music featuring Jah Movement
- 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. — Food Court / Vendor Village / Party Tent Hours of Operation
- 10:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. — Sand Sculpting Demos & Lessons
- 12:30 p.m. to 1 p.m. — Quick Sand Competition
- 2 p.m. to 3 p.m. — Sand Sculpting Demos & Lessons
- 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. — Live Music featuring Tropical Ave
- 3 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. — Masters Award Ceremony
- 3:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. — Sand Sculpting Demos & Lessons
- 4:30 p.m. to 5 p.m. — Quick Sand Competition: Final Session
Monday, Nov. 18
- 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. — Live Music featuring Chris Otto & The Melody Miners
- 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. — Food Court / Vendor Village / Party Tent Hours of Operation
- 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. — Live Music featuring 2 Doors Down
Siesta Key transportation
Those who wish to attend but may not want to deal with the hassle of parking can get a ride to the event for free using Sarasota County Breeze Transit's 77 Islander trolley.
In a press release, the company said it has expanded its services and will offer a free lift to the sand sculpting festival. The trolley runs about every 30 minutes from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily from the following locations:
- Main Street at Indian Place
- Main Street at Lemon Avenue
- Main Street at Palm Avenue
- Bayfront Drive at Ringling Boulevard
- Osprey Avenue at Arlington Street
- Crossings at Siesta Key Mall
- Breeze Route 33 also travels to Siesta Beach, with transfers available from Breeze Routes 14, 17 and 25 at the Crossings at Siesta Key Mall
More information on routes can be found on the Sarasota County Breeze Transit website.
“Providing alternative transportation to the county’s most-visited destinations is one of our primary goals,” Transit Director Jane Grogg said in a statement. “For seven years, our trolley service has helped on-island travelers avoid the hassle of congested traffic or searching for parking. Now, with the 77 Siesta Islander’s extension to downtown Sarasota, we can offer that same easy Breeze experience to visitors who are traveling from the mainland.”
