OCALA, FL (352today.com) – The City of Ocala Cultural Arts Division has announced the winners of the Sand Sculpting Competition held as part of the inaugural Sand and Sun Festival at Citizens’ Circle in downtown Ocala.

The competition featured six professional sand sculptors who created large-scale sculptures throughout the day. Winners were selected by a panel of judges from the Appleton Museum, while festival attendees chose the Fan Favorite Award.

Andy Daily took first place for his sculpture “Scorpion King,” earning a $1,000 cash prize. Amanda Bolduc placed second for “Kindred Spirits,” receiving a $600 cash prize. Daily also received the Fan Favorite Award for “Scorpion King,” which came with a $300 prize.

Woman posing next to a large sand sculpture titled 'Kindred Spirits' under a festival tent.
Amanda Bolduc stands with her second-place sculpture “Kindred Spirits.”
Sand sculpture of a reclining figure with star shapes and geometric blocks, posed beside the artist kneeling in a light blue shirt under a canopy at a sunny park event.
Andy Daily poses with his first-place and Fan Favorite-winning sand sculpture “Scorpion King.”

The City of Ocala thanked event sponsors including AT&T, Big Hammock, Fun4Ocala Kids, Great American Self Storage of Ocala, K-Country, Ocala Gazette, Pointe Grand Apartments, Renewal by Andersen, Renuity, Sipping Grounds Midtown, T-Fiber, The Marion Mosaic, TJM Promotions, Travel + Leisure and WIND-FM.

City officials said the Sand and Sun Festival was designed to highlight creativity, public art and community engagement in downtown Ocala.