Day Trips: SandFest, Port Aransas

The Texas SandFest in Port Aransas mixes sandcastles, carnival food, and island music for a one-of-a-kind weekend on the beach.

With all that is happening, the sand art is the star attraction. Much of the weekend is watching the sculptures, from the sublime to the weird, take shape.

There are 35 artists in this year’s festival in four categories: Master Solo, Master Duo, Semi-Pro, and Non-Competing Masters. The first three categories are going for prizes in Jury Award, People’s Choice, and Sculptor’s Choice.

Many of the artists return multiple years to the beaches of Port A. When they’re not in Texas the international group of sculptors travel to competitions around the world, do private commissions, and even sculpt with snow.

Using local beach sand that is prepared weeks in advance, the artists’ tools of the trade range from shovels and buckets to trowels and straws to blow away excess sand. The moist sand is packed tight and the surface is sprayed with a biodegradable bonding agent that preserves the art for several days, depending on wind, rain, and the county’s bulldozers.

Among the 10 artists this year in the Master Solo category is Damon Langlois, who is a five-time world champion sand sculptor, and creator of last year’s fourth-place winner and personal favorite, The Dude of Vibes (pictured).

The Master Duo category is shaping up to be some stiff competition. The top three teams from last year are among the five contestants.

The Texas SandFest, the largest beach sand sculpture competition in the U.S., happens April 25-27 in Port Aransas. Tickets are $30 for the entire weekend; there are no single-day tickets. The festival happens on the beach between mile markers 13 and 17. There is parking on-site, but the best way to get to the festival is on the free shuttle from the remote parking lots.

1,751st in a series. Everywhere is a day trip from somewhere: Follow “Day Trips & Beyond,” a travel blog, at austinchronicle.com/daily/travel.