Saturday I hit Siesta Key Beach in Sarasota, Florida, (ranked Best Beach in the U.S. by Dr. Beach) and stumbled upon a war. I witnessed two sand sculptures get blown up and a sand sculpting team win $10,000. Don’t worry, this wasn’t the start of WW III but a competition arranged by Travel Channel for a new television show called “Sand Wars.”
Four teams of two created their temporary masterpieces then visitors voted for their favorite sand sculptures. Losing sculptures were blown up but the there’s a twist with the last sand sculpture standing. The network filmed Saturday and if all goes to plan, they’ll be filming additional shows Monday and Tuesday, Dec. 19 and 20, 2011.
Attending the the filming was a reminder what you see on television isn’t (usually) real. There was take, after take, after take of acting excited and surprised when the sand sculptures were “blown up.” I won’t say more because I don’t want to dim that perception of television magic but will say it takes a lot of work and time to put an hour show together.
“Sand Wars” is expected to debut on the Travel Channel in 2012.
Jennifer A. Huber is an award-winning travel and outdoor blogger and writer in Southwest Florida. Originally from Buffalo, N.Y., a hiking trail led her to a career path in the tourism industry for more than 30 years. She spent a decade with a park management company in Yellowstone, Death Valley, and Everglades National Parks. She founded the travel blog, SoloTravelGirl.com with the goal of inspiring others to travel alone, not lonely.
The unexpected death of her former husband in 2008 reminded her how short life is. His passing was a catalyst for sharing her experiences with the goal of inspiring and empowering others to travel solo.
Jennifer holds a Travel Marketing Professional certification from the Southeast Tourism Society, is a certified food judge, member of the NASA Social community, and alum of the FBI Citizens Academy. When not traveling, she is either in the kitchen, practicing her photography skills, or road tripping with her dog, Radcliff.
4 thoughts on “Sunshine, White Sand and Exploding Sand Sculptures: Travel Channel Filming New TV Show on Sarasota’s Siesta Key”
I enjoyed this post. I was there during the Siesta Key Sand Wars competition too. I posted pictures on my blog as you did.
Do you know when the Travel Channel will air the show?
Weeki Wachee Springs offers the Sirens of the Deep Mermaid Camps several times a year. I grabbed a spot, put on a tail, and learned mermaiding is hard work!
I enjoyed this post. I was there during the Siesta Key Sand Wars competition too. I posted pictures on my blog as you did.
Do you know when the Travel Channel will air the show?
Howdy! Thanks for stopping by. I’m not sure, it could be up to a year I imagine.
If you find out when the show will air please let me know. I also saw the taping and was in several shots.
Thanks,
Ed