Frequently Asked Questions
Check out these frequently asked questions about Texas SandFest! Note: These FAQ responses are subject to change.
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Please follow this link to sign up and learn more about volunteering at Texas SandFest.
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Yes, most of which occur at the South entrance in the Kids' Corner. This includes Lesson Mountain, face painting, fun games, and much more!
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There are plenty of great places to stay in Port Aransas! Check out the Port Aransas Tourism Bureau & Chamber of Commerce's website to plan your stay! Click here.
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Definitely! Check out the Port Aransas Tourism Bureau & Chamber of Commerce's list of restaurants here.
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All information about the golf cart raffle can be found here.
The raffle is capped at 600 ticets at a price of $50 each. Tickets can be purchased online or at the festival if there are still tickets available. You do not need to be present to win. The winner will receive a 1099 for the value of the golf cart.
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Before you head into SandFest, make sure to legibly write your name and cell phone number on the child's wristband and take a current photo of your child. This will help us locate you or the child in case you get separated.
If you child is found before they are reported lost, the child will be taken to the First Aid Tent located in the center of the festival across from the VIP tent. You will be notified using the phone number written on their wristband.
If your child gets lost, here are the steps you should follow:
- If you feel your child is in immediate danger, call 911.
- Find a security guard or Texas SandFest volunteer with a radio. Security or volunteers with radios can be found at the following locations: North entrance gate (North), First Aid Tent (Center), VIP Tent (Center), South entrance gate (South), Kids' activity tent (South), and any of the beer tents (Center North, Center South, and South).
- Security or the volunteer with a radio will get the child's description from you and notify all Texas SandFest personnel with a radio to be on the lookout for the child.
- Please show them the photo you took today to speed up the process.
- Once your child is found, either security, law enforcement, or senior staff of Texas SandFest will verify the child is yours.
Traffic, Parking & Transportation
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On the beach between markers 13 and 17. North gate entrance is at marker 13 and South gate entrance is located at marker 17.
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Yes and no. Yes, but ONLY outside the bollards and you must park perpendicular (head in or back in only) and for a maximum of three nights. Learn more about City of Port Aransas RV parking regulations here. There will be no RV parking inside the bollards except for a few key personnel and vendors. RV and trailer parking is not permitted in any SandFest parking lots.
SandFest is not responsible for RVs or vehicles stuck in the sand. SandFest is not responsible for any damages or loss.
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Yes, it generally becomes one way (southbound) each day of the event (Friday, Saturday, and Sunday) from about 9 a.m. to about 8 p.m. from Ave G to Access Road 1A. Traffic will be in both directions north of Ave G and south of Access Road 1.
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Yes, you will need a parking permit anywhere you park on the beach. Find more information on parking permits, including where you can purchase them, here.
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No. Only Texas SandFest official golf carts are permitted inside the event.
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Yes, there is a lot of walking involved. The length of the event is over 1/2 mile long, and you can expect to walk the length a couple times.
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Yes. There are free golf cart shuttles for all SandFest parking lots that are located INSIDE the bollards as well as the Gracie's Way parking lot. Generally, the shuttle drivers will drop you off in the vicinity of your vehicle. Please note that the shuttles' top priority is picking up and dropping off those with disabilities, injuries, and the elderly.
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Sandcastle Dr. is closed to through traffic for the duration of the event.
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No, none of the above are permitted to park in Texas SandFest public parking lots. You may park them OUTSIDE the bollards, as permitted by the city.
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Yes, but no overnight parking will be allowed. Please be aware that the parking lot at Gracie's Way is grassy, and RV parking will be at your own risk.
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8:45 a.m. until 7:45 p.m. sharp each day of the event.
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Yes and no. There is no cost to ride the prescribed SandFest route during the event, which stops at Roberts Point Park, the Port Aransas Community Park, and the end of Access Road 1-A at the beach. All other RTA buses charge their normal fare, which can be found by clicking here.
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No, but there are bike racks available just outside the North and South entrance gates. Texas SandFest is not responsible for damaged or stolen items.
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The RTA SandFest shuttle runs from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. each day of the event. The last pick-up each day will be at 8 p.m. sharp at the end of Beach Access Road 1-A.
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No. Texas SandFest does not charge to park. The City does require a $12 parking permit, good for the calendar year. There is no charge to park at the three remote parking lots.
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Gracie's Way is just off Access Road 1A, Roberts Point Park is located at 301 J.C. Barr Blvd., and the Port Aransas Community Park is located at 700 Clark Pkwy.
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No, no overnight parking is allowed in any Texas SandFest parking lots.
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All bus parking will be in the remote parking lot at Gracie's Way. This includes tour buses, school buses, and charter buses.
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The City of Port Aransas determines what areas outside of the event can be used for parking. Parking will not be allowed outside the bollards, but RV parking is permitted on the beach North of Avenue G and South of Access Road 1-A.
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Yes! Motorized disability scooters and wheelchairs are permitted, as well as strollers and kiddie pull wagons.
Please note that this event is on the beach and the vast majority of disability scooters and wheelchairs are not meant for use in the sand. Texas SandFest will also have beach wheelchairs available, which may be reserved by clicking here.
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Yes, folding chairs are permitted as long as they do not block pedestrian traffic. Beach umbrellas and other shade structures are not permitted.
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Yes, at the main beer tent, the music tent, near logo mountain at the North gate, and by the Kids' Corner at the South gate.
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Yes, there is a lot of walking involved. The length of the event is over 1/2 mile long, and you can expect to walk the length a couple times.
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Yes, at the main beer tent, the music tent, near logo mountain at the North gate, and by the Kids' Corner at the South gate.
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Lost and found is located next to the North gate entrance at our Guest Relations tent.
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Yes. There is a family port-a-potty located just inside the South gate, which includes a baby changing station.
Allowed on SandFest Grounds
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Yes, well-behaved dogs on leashes are allowed. Please note that the City of Port Aransas requires that dogs must be on a leash at all times (City Code, Chapter 4, Sec. 4-26). You must pick up after your dog (City Code, Chapter 4, Sec. 4-9). There will be dog waste bags available. Texas SandFest reserves the right to remove any dog from the festival grounds.
Please be aware that SandFest days are often long and hot, so plan accordingly for your pet and be prepared.
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Yes! Motorized disability scooters and wheelchairs are permitted, as well as strollers and kiddie pull wagons. Texas SandFest will also have beach wheelchairs available on a first come, first serve basis. Beach wheelchairs may be reserved here.
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No. Outside ice chests and coolers are not permitted. Outside alcohol is also not permitted, but will be available for purchase within the event grounds. You may bring in water, which is also available for purchase.
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Though coolers are not permitted, you are welcome to bring food/drinks, with the exception of alcoholic beverages.
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You are permitted to bring in folding chairs as long as you do not block foot traffic; however, pop-up tents and shelters are not allowed.
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No, drones or other remote flying devices are not permitted on festival grounds.
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No. Only Texas SandFest official golf carts are permitted inside the event.
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No, but there are bike racks available just outside the North and South entrance gates. Texas SandFest is not responsible for damaged or stolen items.
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Tickets are available for purchase at both entrances of the event. Cash only. Tickets will be also available for purchase early at the Guest Relations tent from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Wednesday and Thursday. Tickets will NOT be available at Guest Relations during the event.
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Wristbands purchased online will be available for pickup at the North and South gate entrances from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. each day of the event.
- Once at either of the gates, get in the "Will Call" lane.
- Either have your confirmation email or the first and last name of the person who purchased the wristbands.
- A volunteer will look you up in the system and get you the correct number of each type of wristband.
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There are no refunds or discounts.
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No additional tickets are required to access any portion of the event except for the VIP tent. General admission covers the master sculptor competition, semi pro competition, amateur competition, kid area, live music, and vendors.
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Yes. You must keep your wristband on for reentry. The wristband will provide you with a three-day entry.
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Yes, a limited number are available for purchase here (scroll to the bottom). A $500 VIP ticket purchase is valid for two (2) people for one (1) day only. VIP tickets include access to the VIP tent and VIP parking lot (entrance at Marker 11.5).
A limited number of single-person ($250) VIP tickets will be available for purchase at the following locations:
- Guest Relations tent on Wednesday and Thursday, April 17th & 18th from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
- VIP sales tent in front of the VIP tent during the event
These single tickets will be valid for one day only. VIP tent wristbands will not be sold at the gates.
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Unfortunately, Texas SandFest does not offer any discounts.
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Sand is held together by compaction and the moisture inside of it. Different size grains fit together a lot like jigsaw puzzle pieces.
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The surface of the sculptures is sprayed with a proprietary bonding agent which is biodegradable, child safe, and sealife safe.
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Light rain generally does not hurt the sculptures. Moderate rain can begin to erase fine details. Heavy rain can damage parts of the sculpture.
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Wind can damage the sculptures, especially the fine details.
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Only local beach sand is used.
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Sculptors have 31 hours to complete their sculptures.
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There are less than 400 professional sand sculptors worldwide.
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It takes roughly 10 years of sand sculpting experience to become a Master Sculptor.
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Some sand sculptors come from an ice or wood-carving background.
Need to contact Texas SandFest directly with questions?
Email general questions to info@texassandfest.org.
Vendors contact: vendors@texassandfest.org
Volunteer contact: volunteer@texassandfest.org
Sponsor contact: sponsors@texassandfest.org
