Annual "Penfield Beach Sand Sculpture Festival" to feature sculpture of Bellarmine Hall | Press Releases

Fairfield University is a sponsor this year of the "Penfield Beach Sand Sculpture Festival," to be held at Penfield Beach Thursday, June 25-Sunday, June 28. Master Sand Sculptors Sean and Tracey Fitzpatrick, who created the 9-ton, 8-foot-tall Penfield Lighthouse sculpture last year and whose most recent TV appearance was on "Good Morning America" on May 25, will be back with plans for an even larger project.

Also taking part will be Grand Master Sculptor Suzanne Altamare, who has been sand sculpting for a living since 1982 all over the United States, Canada, the Netherlands and Belgium ( www.justplainsand.com ). Suzanne's special project will be to create a sand sculpture of Bellarmine Hall, the signature building on the Fairfield campus.

Martha F. Milcarek, a community relations liaison for Fairfield University, said, "We at Fairfield University are delighted to participate as an event sponsor for the 2nd Annual Penfield Beach Sand Sculpture Festival. We take very seriously our role in supporting the community which we call home and this festival sponsorship is one among many events and activities in which our students, faculty and staff participate. This event is not only great fun, but is very special in that the proceeds will be used to improve the beauty and safety of Fairfield Beach as well as supporting a local charity - a win-win for all involved."

An important part of the weekend will be a "Sand Sculpting Contest" for amateurs on Sunday, June 28 from 9:15 to 11:15 a.m., sponsored by the Fairfield Police Athletic League, plus many other events, including a raffle and T-shirts featuring a "We dig sand" pail-&-shovel graphic in children and adult sizes. Admission is free for those with Town of Fairfield Beach Stickers. Otherwise parking is $15 per car on weekdays and $25 on weekends.