Sand sculpture contest Aug. 12.

#OceanaCountyNews #PentwaterHomecoming2016

By Ron Beeber. Contributing Writer.

PENTWATER — With the 43rd annual Pentwater Homecoming Sand Sculpture contest just around the corner Friday Aug. 12 at Charles Mears State Park, now is the time to start planning your masterpiece.

Over 50 teams of families and friends are expected to turn out with their pails, shovels, water spritzers and shaping tools. Teams will sculpt designs that illustrate this year’s Homecoming theme “Pentwater Outdoors.” The Homecoming celebration continues all weekend.

The Pentwater Service Club is again sponsoring the popular event. Registration is free and begins at 8 a.m. Judging begins at 11 a.m. At noon, first/second/third-place trophies will be awarded in each of seven categories. They are age groups (determined by the age of the oldest team member) 1-7, 8-9, 10-12, 13-and-over; plus Family Flights A, B and C.

Entering teams will be judged on four criteria: adherence to the homecoming theme, creativity, attention to detail, and neatness. Sculptures should be in sand and water. However, items found naturally on the beach – e.g., dune grass, feathers, driftwood pieces and zebra mussel shells – can be used for decoration.

Free parking is available at the state park for vehicles with a State of Michigan Recreation Passport. For more information, check out the “Pentwater Sand Sculpture Contest” community page on Facebook, or call 313.498.0155.

Learn more about the techniques of an art form that dates back to prehistoric times. A good place to start prepping is by entering in one’s search engine the phrase “sculpting in the sand.” Many interesting articles and YouTube videos appear.