By LUCINDA WIERENGA
Special to the PRESS
The Holiday Sandcastle Village of South Padre Island has gone to the dogs – literally!
The “dog days of summer” is a phrase that refers to the hot and humid days of summer, typically from July 3 to August 11.* As everyone knows, hot and humid comes around early in these parts — in fact it is scheduled to arrive at 4 PM on Friday, May 3, 2024 for the official unveiling of our newest original sand sculpture — and the public is invited to start their First Friday Artwork stroll with champagne and cake at an official never-before-attempted sculpture unveiling.
Sculptors Paul and Remy Hoggard, (from Bulgaria) will be on hand to discuss the sculpture and their experiences as internationally-renowned sand sculptors. They have been entertaining Island visitors for the past week as they create dogs (and kitties, too) from blocks of compacted sand at the Sandcastle Village (the Village), W Ling St, South Padre Island , creating an image of “natural enemies getting along just fine, thank you very much.”
When they have completed their work at the Village, the Hoggards (sandartist.com) will head north to Kelly’s Irish Pub where their original “Surfin’ Leprechauns” sculpture – completed in 2016 – is, er…. showing its age (to put it nicely). The plan is to add some new sand and make a completely different sculpture that will be the newest addition to the SPI Sandcastle Trail.
Back at the Village, local sculptors are working on the creation of a “Dog Days Graffiti Wall” featuring hearts and bone shapes for folks to write love declarations for their pets. Alternatively, a local artist will be happy to carve it for you for a nominal fee. You can place your order online for as little as $10 at givebutter.com/sanddogs. Proceeds will be donated to various local animal rescue organizations.
*The phrase comes from the Latin dies caniculares, which translates to “little dog days.” The term refers to the 20 days before and after the star Sirius rises and sets in conjunction with the sun. Sirius is the brightest star in the constellation Canis Major, or “Large Dog”.
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