Coney Island hosts annual sand sculpting contest

Proceeds From Contest to Help Residents Rebuild from Sandy

August 18, 2014 By Verena Dobnik Associated Press

William Petrosino, left, mixes sand with water while carving a dragon and castle with Dartya Feklistova during a sand sculpting contest in Coney Island on Aug. 16. Proceeds from the contest will go toward helping residents still rebuilding from Superstorm Sandy. AP Photos/Julie Jacobson

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Castles and other sandy sculptures rose into the Coney Island air Aug. 16, vying for best creations under the Brooklyn boardwalk.

In super-competitive New York City, more than 70 people aimed to outdo each other at the 24th annual Coney Island Sand Sculpting Contest.

Abraham Cruz’s “Lady Liberty,” Arri Blumenfeld’s “Imagination Animal” and Bradley Pion’s “Giant Turtle” won the individual categories for adult, child and youth ages 14 to 18, respectively.

Group prizes went to works titled “Castle to the Sky,” ”Premordial Lizard,” ”Cat Named Bob” and “Freedom Tower.”

Proceeds from two of the sponsors — Astella Development Corporation and Brooklyn Community Services — will benefit Coney Island residents still rebuilding from the 2012 Superstorm Sandy that decimated the boardwalk and destroyed houses and businesses.