Ask Fitzy Snowman

What happens when it rains?

We all get wet! Most rain will not do serious damage to the sculptures. However, rain does leave pockmarks on the sculpture's smooth surfaces. These marks can be easily smoothed out after the rain has stopped. Torrential rains can saturate the sculptures and cause cut-throughs and overhangs to collapse.

How do you get them so tall?

We fill forms, bottomless boxes made of plywood and 2 by 4's with sand and pack it in tightly and add plenty of water. Once the first form is full we add a second form slightly smaller than the first and repeat the process until we achieve the desired height. When it is time to carve, the top form is removed and the subsequent forms are used as a platform for the sculptor to stand on.

What is the wire sticking out of the top?

Contrary to popular belief they are not cages that lend structural support, nor are they radio transmitters that allow us to communicate with the aliens. The wires are placed at the highest points of all the sculptures to prevent birds from landing on the sculptures and causing structural damage.

Is that real sand?

It is real sand but it is not sand from the beach. It is special sand that is quarried out of Hudson, New Hampshire and trucked here. The sand has a higher silt content than regular beach sand which allows the individual grains of sand to stick together better.

How long do the sculptors have to finish?

Each sculptor has a total of 21 hours spaced out over 3 days to finish their sculpture.

How much sand do you use?

The entire site contains about 350 tons. Each competitor gets 12 tons to use in their sculpture. The remaining sand is used in the sponsorship sculpture.

What is a Master Sand Sculptor?

Master Sculptor is someone who has competed in a master level sand sculpting competition or someone who is commissioned to create sculptures on a professional level.

What is that stuff you're spraying on the outside of the sculpture?
We spray a solution of 10 parts water to 1 part biodegradable glue on the finished sculptures. It forms something like the shell of an M&M on the outside of the sculpture. This prevents the sun from drying out the sculpture and the wind from blowing it away. It does not hold the sculpture together and will not prevent a poorly designed sculpture from collapsing.