More than two dozen teams got their hands dirty Saturday for the 17th annual Sand Sculpting Contest.
Sculptors from across the city came out to build creations depicting everything from animals to Coney Island’s iconic Parachute Jump. The winner of the $200 top prize chose mermaids as his theme.
“They gave us some cash and we’re going to go have some hotdogs now,” said Tony Saunders, winner best solo adult sculptor. “And my sculpture was the sleepy mermaid. She’s still on the beach, and she had a hard night last night, so she’s sleeping today.”
“I like to put my hands in the sand and ground myself out and all the problems disappear,” said contestant Artie Knapp. “I’ve been doing it a long time, and it works. It makes me very happy, very calm, mellow.”
The city’s parks department delivered 50 mounds of sand for the event, which also included music and games.
