2011 Fleet Week in Times Square With Travel Channel's 'Sand Masters' and a 60-Ton Sand Salute to Our U.S. Military

NEW YORK, May 30, 2011 /PRNewswire/ --

(Photo:  http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20110530/PH10742 )

WHO:

Professional sand sculptures Rusty Croft, Kirk Rademaker, Sue McGrew, Andy Gertler, Matt Long, Morgan Rudluff from Travel Channel's new show SAND MASTERS, and members from of our military forces

WHY:

In honor of the 100th anniversary of naval aviation, the SAND MASTERS created a work of art made from 60 tons of sand mixed with lots of water and ingenuity.  

WHAT:

Members of the U.S. military assisted loading the sand into Times Square – or "pound up" as it's called in the industry.  The sand is shoveled into wooden boxes and pounded down with hand tampers. When the sand is hard, the boxes are removed and the sculpting begins.  

U.S. Navy Rear Admiral Shelanski was on hand to welcome his troops and participate in the show. Members from the Coast Guard, Navy and Marines created a human 'curtain', revealing the final massive sand sculpture, featuring naval ships, an aircraft carrier, helicopter, military personnel, flags and a family.  

SAND MASTERS premieres Wednesday, June 1st at 10 p.m. e/p

The Fleet Week episode will air later this year.  

WHERE:

Military Island, Times Square, New York City

WHEN:

The final touches were put on the sculpture Sunday, May 29th, 2011.  

One Monday, May 30th, 2011, the sculpture will be demolished and 60-tons of sand will be donated to NYC Parks Department for playgrounds throughout the city.

For more information including tips and tricks on building a sand castle, visit: www.travelchannel.com/TV_Shows/Sand_Masters

SERIES INFORMATION: Premiering with back-to-back episodes on Wednesday, June 1 at 10:00 p.m. and 10:30 p.m., an incredible team of artists travel the globe to create unimaginable structures made from sand while battling unpredictable weather, wildly ambitious designs and overly demanding clients. In the premiere episode, the SAND MASTERS head to Miami to create a sand sculpture celebrating PT Barnum's 200th birthday at the opening night of Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus. Next, the team journeys to Costa Rica to create a one-of-a-kind, coffee-themed sand masterpiece to celebrate the launch of a local coffee company.

NOTE TO EDITORS:  Broadcast B-roll, embeddable web video and still photography available at www.newscastus.com/mediablast/TravelChannel/100085/100085.html

SOURCE Travel Channel