THE BUILD BEGINS!
Weston-super-Mare is about to host its biggest and most spectacular sand sculpture festival on the beach from July 12 until August 31.
An advanced guard of international sand sculptors arrived from the Netherlands last weekend to begin the preparations to turn 360 tons of Weston sand into an amazing work of art.
They have now been joined by ten more sculptors from all over the world and sand carving has begun in earnest. It will take the 14 artists a week to complete the sculptures in readiness for the event opening to the public on Saturday, July 12.
You can keep up to date on their progress on the event website - www.westonsandsculpture.co.uk.
Four of the sculptors will remain at the site to create a final piece after the event has opened to visitors. You can watch them at work from Saturday the 12th until Friday, July 18. The site will have a special section for kids to have a go at creating their own sculptures with a little help from North Somerset Play Forum.
The festival attracted more than 30,000 visitors last year. With the event already generating regional and national media attention, organisers are expecting even more people through the gates this year.
"We are very lucky to be hosting this event yet again, which is a reflection of the superb sandcastle building qualities of Weston beach of course," said Cllr Elfan Ap Rees, Deputy Leader of North Somerset Council. "I certainly look forward to seeing the results once the build is completed and the designs unveiled."
The event has been generously sponsored and supported by Wookey Hole, Weston Town Council, The Grand Pier, Avon Fire and Rescue and Birse, the contractors currently working on the seafront enhancement scheme.
Sand Sculpture Festival
12 Jul 2008 - 31 Aug 2008
The Beach
Weston-super-Mare BS23 1AT
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