Mary Henkel Judson is editor and co-publisher of the South Jetty. Contact her at southjetty@centurytel. net, (361) 749-5131 or P.O. Box 1117, Port Aransas, TX 78373. Few would argue that SandFest is one of the biggest attractions Port Aransas has to offer.

Over a three-day period, more than 100,000 people are drawn to the event that attracts master sculptors from throughout the country and even abroad. SandFest also attracts other sand sculptors, from those ranked as pro-amateurs on the verge of turning pro, to tiny tots. In short, there’s something for everyone.

SandFest is a family affair that also features free sand sculpting lessons, music and entertainment, as well as vendors selling everything from flip-flops to funnel cakes and everything in between – except alcohol. Key word: Family-friendly.

The quality of SandFest has attracted the attention of The World Championship of Sand Sculpture, which means that the top winner at SandFest will be treated to a trip to The World Championship of Sand Sculpture in Federal Way, Wash. The second and third place solo winners will be entered into a pool of sculptors and be drawn upon to compete as space allows.

“We looked at all of the contests in North America and narrowed down our considerations to slightly more than just a handful. The inclusion of Texas SandFest was done after careful scrutiny of the organization of your contest, your hospitality standards, your longevity, and that the assurance of quality we recommend was accepted. It is evident to us that your consideration of the sculptor’s talents and your desire to recognize artistic merit places your event as a premier competition,” said Doc Reiss, organizer of the world championship, in a letter informing SandFest’s board of directors of its selection.

SandFest is one of five in the United States selected. Others are in South Padre Island, Hampton Beach, N.H.; Fort Myers Beach, Fla.; and Port Angeles, Wash.

SandFest is a quality event that has brought positive recognition from around the country and even the world to Port Aransas – and that is thanks to a small group of hard-working volunteers.

Now, SandFest needs our support.

The event, in addition to the manual labor required, takes the better part of $100,000 to put on. Sponsorships in the past have barely covered expenses, and allowed SandFest to share what little proceeds there were with local nonprofit organizations that help with the event.

Finding sponsors was a tough job in a good economy. Now, in a not-so-good economy it’s even tougher. Without sufficient support from sponsors, the future of SandFest is in jeopardy.

Keep in mind that those 100,000 people who come to SandFest need places to sleep, eat, shop and be entertained. All of Port Aransas benefits from that. It’s a huge economic shot in the arm during a “shoulder season.”

If you would like to be a part of keeping Sand- Fest going, or you have a connection to a major sponsor that could make a difference, go to www. portasouthjetty.com, click on Forms under the New Menu on the left side of the page. There you will find a SandFest sponsor form. Click on it and follow the directions to be part of keeping SandFest alive – in 2010 and beyond.

SandFest has been good to us. Let us be good to SandFest.