Artists prepare for sculpting event

VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. (WAVY) - The Neptune Festival this weekend in Virginia Beach will host the North American Sand Sculpting Championship.

Artists spent the majority of their day Thursday perfecting their sculptures which they had exactly 24 hours over three days to carve.

"If you told me 20 years ago this is what [I would be] doing for a living, I would have said, 'You're crazy!'" Kristen Fralich, from Canada, said.

Artists gather in Virginia Beach from all over the world to show off their sculptures which have international appeal.

"It is amazing that people make a living doing this. It would be nice if I could make a living doing something this fun!" tourist Matthew Kay said.

"It is a temporary medium which makes it so cool... it's here today and gone tomorrow," Fralich said.

Admission to see the sand castles this weekend will be $3 per person. The Neptune Festival begins Friday evening at 9 p.m. at 31st Street.