Issue link: https://newsleader.uberflip.com/i/135276
Sarasota News Leader June 7, 2013 Page 85 Siesta Seen hard to come up with an easier transportation system for people attending the event. The last two years, parking was offered at Phillippi Estate Park on South Tamiami Trail for those who wanted to take buses to the beach. Yet another new feature this year will be sculpture viewing with a special "Mobi-Mat" on the sand for people who have difficulty walking on the beach to see all the works in progress. The Mobi-Mat will be available on Monday, Nov. 18. Sponsorships and vendor spaces are available. For more information visit www.SiestaKeyCrystalClassic.com, call the Siesta Key Chamber of Commerce at 349-3800 or email Chamber Executive Director Kevin Cooper at Kevin@siestakeychamber.com. VIP parking packages with multi-day passes starting at $49 will be available for purchase online in the next few weeks, the release adds. Proceeds of the Siesta Key Crystal Classic benefit Mote Marine Laboratory's sea turtle According to the website of the French com- research and conservation programs. pany Deschamps, the "Mobi-Mat® Beach-AcCOUNTY OFFERS cess Mat (BAM) is a medium grade polyes- CAMPGROUND SPECIAL ter roll-out mat system" designed to facilitate movements over sand, gravel or pebble beach- Turtle Beach Campground on south Siesta Key es. Not surprisingly, it has quite a few military "is one of only a handful of spots in Florida where campers can pitch their tents or park uses. their recreational vehicles (RVs) only a few A news release notes, "The Crystal Classic has short steps away from the Gulf of Mexico," become a favorite of many of the professional says a county news release issued on May 31. sand sculptors who have competed here. Citing the beauty and cleanliness of the pristine And now through Aug. 12, Sarasota County white sand, sculptors have remarked that their residents can stay two consecutive nights for sculptures look almost as if they are 'carved the price of one at the campground, that release says. in marble.'" To be eligible for the buy one, get one free The four-day art event will include all-day (BOGO) special, guests must show proof of viewing Friday, Saturday, Sunday and Monday residency and stay two consecutive nights on as the sculptors work; the presence of more the same site. than 50 vendors on the beach; live entertainment; and an amateur sand sculpting contest "Turtle Beach Campground is incredibly popular with visitors and frequently sold out," on Saturday.