Locals and visitors of South Padre Island are celebrating Valentine’s Day with their loved ones in a way that showcases the unique aspects of the area.
In celebration of Christmas and New Year’s, a variety of detailed sand sculptures, such as Santa Claus with a bag full of presents, a Christmas tree and Father Time handing a mask to a baby New Year, were created at the Island’s Holiday Sandcastle Village in December.
Starting in late January, the site’s creations began transforming into love-themed works of art.
The sandcastle village’s Christmas tree is now a Valentine’s tree.
“t’s still lit up and cheerful, but we’ve hung some hearts on it and made it look a little bit more Valentines,” Holiday Sandcastle Village Founder Lucinda “Sandy Feet” Wierenga said. “Santa Claus has left the building and has turned into a pirate.”
The sandcastle village also has a large wall with sand sculptures of hearts and dogs, as well as a big throne that people are allowed to sit on and have their picture taken.
“We’ve made the throne stop saying seasons greetings. Now, it says Happy Valentines,” Wierenga said. “There are big hearts around it.”
With a donation, visitors of the sandcastle village are able to select a blank heart and tell a sculptor what they want it to say or look like.
Pictures of custom Valentine hearts will be posted in a Google photo album where they can be viewed and downloaded by visiting https://photos.app.goo.gl/zVrgTnx12xMAvm4P7.
Wierenga, along with three other sculptors, are transforming the sandcastle village.
“We have two visiting sculptors and two local sculptors. We’re having a lot of fun,” she said. “We’re very grateful to the city and to Louie’s Backyard for the support that they’ve given us.”
The holiday attraction is located in the Entertainment District on West Marlin St. near Louie’s Backyard and Gravity Park’s ferris wheel.
“We’re very grateful for the generosity of the people that walk through there and put money in the donation boxes,” Wierenga said. “That goes to the sculptors who are working on it and they’re very appreciative.”
According to Wierenga, the site is usually open from around 10 a.m. to about 9 or 10 p.m.
“Sometimes we’re there earlier, sometimes we stay later. If you want to be sure to catch it while it’s open, I would say noon to 9 p.m. every day,” she said. “There’s generally people working there in the afternoon so if you want a special Valentine, that’s a good way to do it. Come when someone’s working and we’ll carve it right then and there for you.”
For more information, visit Sandcastle Island, Inc.’s website at www.sandcastlevillage.com.
