The Brief
- Sanding Ovations closed out its final encore weekend after several weeks of strong turnout.
- Organizers and residents say this year carried special meaning after last year’s storms forced cancellations and displaced families.
- Sculptures will remain on display through the first week of January before being flattened into the beach.
TREASURE ISLAND, Fla. – Treasure Island’s signature sand sculpting festival wrapped up its final encore weekend on Sunday, marking a successful return after last year’s storms forced the event to cancel entirely.
For several weekends, thousands of visitors filled the beach to see towering 3-D sand sculptures, browse nearly a hundred vendors, enjoy live music, grab food from local stands, and watch day and nighttime kite shows.
What they’re saying:
Organizers say this year’s festival became about more than art — it became a moment of healing and reconnection for a community still working to rebuild.…