Folly Beach Celebrates Creativity at the Second Annual Mermaids and Matey’s Festival
Folly Beach, S.C. was buzzing with excitement as community members from the surround Charleston area gathered to unleash their creativity in sand sculpture making. This past weekend, the second annual Mermaids and Matey’s Festival took over the streets and beautiful beaches of Folly, culminating in an exhilarating sand sculpting competition.
Catching the Sand Sculpting Spirit
With the sun shining down, families, friends, and competitors formed teams and hit the beach armed with buckets, shovels, and heaps of enthusiasm. The sights and sounds were absolutely lively, as teams raced against the clock to construct imaginative sand sculptures. From adorable turtles and ingeniously crafted soccer fields to the classic majestic sandcastles we all know and love, about five teams were in the running for some wonderful prizes.
The judges had their work cut out for them as they rated each sculpture on a scale from one to ten across various categories, including age appropriateness, structural creativity, and overall design. However, for many participants, the competitive aspect took a backseat to just having a great time.
Fun and Fellowship at the Forefront
Zachary and Carter, two energetic participants, were overwhelmed with excitement. “It’s fun, it’s challenging, it’s just fun doing all of this…and our work is going to pay off,” they exclaimed. When asked about their own sandcastle-making process, they beamed with pride and explained, “We did all of that. We made the sandcastles, then I did the outline and now we’re going to take this. I don’t know how, but we’re gonna make a pool!” Their sheer excitement was infectious, a charming reminder that sometimes the process matters more than the result.
Another competitor, Christy Hawley, shared her family’s experience. “This is our sand castle, so it’s a drip castle. So basically you just take the sand and drip it.” She cheerfully recounted how she and her family have been building sandcastles together for decades, but this was indeed their first time entering the contest. “They’re all different, and yeah we’ve built some pretty big ones before,” Christy shared. For her family, creating sandcastles is a delightful tradition, filled with relaxation. “And that’s what we do every time we come to Folly,” she added.
Grateful for Good Times and Resilience
While participants cherished the fun, they also reflected on the recent happenings in their community. “We’re just being thankful that we survived the hurricane,” said Christy, touching on a significant concern that still lingers. “We’re not dealing with as much as they are up north, so we’re thinking of them today too.” It’s a heartening note amidst the cheerful atmosphere of the festival.
A Friendly Sibling Rivalry
Sibling rivalry reared its playful head with some teams vowing to outperform each other. The siblings Paisley, Brinkley, Austin, and Bryce were on a mission, declaring, “We’re gonna definitely beat them because we’re gonna be working harder in the end. Rather than them sitting there trying to perfect everything, we’re gonna be working on all the good stuff!” Their spirited energy filled the air, adding to the festival’s lively ambiance.
According to event coordinator Vanessa Oltmann, while the sandcastle contest is usually part of the Sea and Sand Festival—an event that has been going strong since 2012—this year’s contest was postponed due to beach renourishment projects. But with smiles beaming under the sun, everyone seemed thrilled that the event, albeit slightly delayed, still rocked the beach.
Enjoying the Moment
Ultimately, it was clear that the Mermaids and Matey’s Festival was all about connection, creativity, and community spirit. Regardless of who walks away with the prizes, the memories made and smiles shared truly embody the heart of Folly Beach. Here’s to more warm days filled with laughter and creativity on the sands!
