This was not just a competition to see who could create the best sand sculpture, but a way to build community support.

Several businesses donated items to the event.

“This event was put together with a lot of support and donations from places all over Ottumwa,” Shaw said. “There was more support for it this year too.”

This year’s expansion did not come as a surprise to the Master Sculptor and originator of the Sand in the City competition, Burt Adams, who was hesitant to bring the event to such a small town last year.

“I usually don’t do many smaller towns,” he said.

Last year he said he was awestruck by the amount of people that came to the event and participated in a town this size.

“This year I expected it to grow,” he said, having no hesitation to come back again. “The community here is great.”

Adams even observed some of the people who participated in the competition last year and noticed their improved skills in this year’s sculpting event.

The winner this year for the first place $1500 grand prize was the Heartland Humane Society with its sand replica of the Ottumwa Cemetery gates, along with two sand versions of the dog statues inside the cemetery, one with a lot of history behind it. Second place was the AmericaInn/Main Street Ottumwa team, who did a sculpture of “The Goonies.” Third was the Ottumwa Courier team with an unsuspecting man relaxing in an inflatable tube with a shark rising up behind him. The people’s choice award went to Cargill for its piggy in a frying pan titled “Bacon in the sun.”

Adams said he was very impressed with the turnout and, if asked again, will come back next year for the third annual “Sand in the City”.

Scott Niles can be reached at (641) 683-5360 or via e-mail at sjniles@mchsi.com.