FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 27, 2007
Contact: Ann Grimm
Port of Bellingham
(360) 676-2500
Jeannette Brennan
Northwest Discovery Project
(360) 739-4941
Sand in the CityTM Raises Money for Marine Life Center
Sand Sculpting Winners Announced
[Bellingham, Wash.] It's amazing what one can do with a little bit of water and a whole lot of sand. An entire parking lot full of sand, in fact. From whales and penguins, a picnic scene, dragons and castles, nine amazing creations were sculpted out of sand at the second annual Comcast's Sand in the CityTM event, held August 3 - 5 at Bellwether on the BayTM in Bellingham. Other outstanding creations made from hand-packed sand included lions and bears. A benefit for the Marine Life Center, this event raised over $10,000.
Nine corporate teams worked with local architects to draw up designs and practice their sand sculpting skills on a dump truck load of sand. They put their talent to the test in the sand sculpting competition on Friday, August 3. The sand sculptures were judged on use of plot, design, theme, and carving. After the votes were in, the judges handed out the coveted "Golden Shovel" trophy to Comcast's creation of igloo and penguins. Second place was awarded to Dawson Construction/Zervas Group's pirate's shipwreck and Trans Ocean Products' Davy Jones, and Pirates of the Caribbean came in third.
The "People's Choice Award" gave event-goers an opportunity to vote for their favorite structure. By purchasing a "sand dollar" for one dollar to support the Marine Life Center, people could vote for their favorite sculpture - with 1,100 votes, the winner was Trans-Ocean Products, Inc. This is the second year in a row Trans-Ocean Products has won this award.
Over the weekend, visitors enjoyed live music and entertainment, watched master sand sculptors at work creating a huge sculpture and, for the younger set, there was face painting, and kids of all ages built their own sand creations in two giant sandboxes. Craft vendors and specialty food vendors were also on hand to satisfy hunger or shopping desires.
Comcast's Sand in the CityTM was presented by the Northwest Discovery Project and the Port of Bellingham and with major sponsors of Birch Equipment and Comcast. For more information about next year's Sand in the CityTM event, contact Bob Goodwin, Executive Director of the Northwest Discovery Project at (360) 201-3904.
A focal point of Bellingham's waterfront, the Marine Life Center has aquariums and touch pools filled with an array of sea creatures. It has been hosting and educating families, visitors, and school children of all ages about marine life habitat found in the waters of Bellingham Bay and Puget Sound. Over 70,000 people visit the Marine Life Center each year to enjoy, learn or "get a feel for it" in the popular touch tank. The Marine Life Center is primarily funded by the Port of Bellingham and operated by the Northwest Discovery Project, a non-profit corporation.
