WICU12

Some people were getting serious about sand, on beach eight at Presque Isle.

They were competing in Discover Presque Isle's annual sand sculpting competition.

Art's Bakery has been sponsoring the competition for 14 of it's 20 years. 

"It's open to everybody amateurs, kids, adults, large groups, we've had college groups come down here, frats, and the prizes aren't huge but we get together a little prize package," says Gordon Evans, owner of Art's Bakery.

In this year's crowd of competitors is amateur James Grove's group. They built a sculpture of David and Goliath.

"There's really no professionals in our group at all so this is completely amateur," says Grove, "last year was our first year and we had a group that did a really good job."

20-year veteran sculptor Anthony Smith was on the beach with a puppy sculpture of a puppy.

He's the reigning champ, but he says everyone is a winner, because they're all supporting the park.

"It draws attention to what we have to offer here in Erie," says Smith, "you know, it brings a lot of people who wouldn't normally come I really think this is a great event."

Besides sand sculpture there were tons of events going on at Presque Isle, from swimming to prize give aways to tons of vendors.  Discover Presque Isle isn't just about coming out and having a great time, though, it's the parks biggest fundraiser of the year

The magic number for this year's event is $100,000.

Vendors help the park raise money by paying a fee, which goes directly to the park, but the event also helps local businesses get their name out.

Craig Laufer, owner of Carmen's Cookie Jar explains, "In our case we don't have a store front so all of our business besides these events comes from just having the name recognition of people coming back to buy from events who buy cookies from us there so there's really no way we have to advertise other than events like this."

Money is also raised through the sale of buttons and t-shirts, as well as collecting donations.  All the funds collected go towards improving the park.

"This year we're actually going to make a turtle observation we're actually making new picnic tables from organic and recyclable materials," says Presque Isle Media and Marketing Rep Abby Ashton.

Most importantly, though, people got out and discovered Presque Isle.