FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 15, 2011
MYRTLE BEACH, S.C. – The Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of Commerce/CVB is excited to announce the details of the 2012 Republication Primary Debate ‘Mount Myrtle’ sand feature, located across the street from the Sheraton Myrtle Beach Hotel and Convention Center. The 1,175,100 pound sand sculpture (525 tons) has taken five sand sculptors six days to complete and features three separate elements.
The central feature of the sand sculpture is horseshoe-shaped and highlights the faces of all Republican presidential candidates participating in the debate; a second sand feature serves as a tribute to Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and his birthday and a third sand feature highlights Myrtle Beach as a premier vacation destination.
“Some people use billboards to get their messages across, but we use one of our greatest natural resources as a destination; sand,” said Brad Dean, President and CEO of the Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of Commerce/CVB. “With a national spotlight on Myrtle Beach, these sand features allow us to mix politics, a national holiday and Myrtle Beach together in a unique and fun way.”
Team Sandtastic of Sarasota, Fla., in collaboration with the Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of Commerce/CVB came up with the design concept and began construction on Tuesday, Jan. 10. Team Sandtastic has sculpted sand projects for Myrtle Beach multiple times including the World’s Tallest Sandcastle in 2007 and for two presidential primary debates held in January 2008.
The sand for the Mount Myrtle was provided by Carolina Sand and was locally-mined from just outside of Conway, S.C.
The sculpture is free and open to the public, including the nearly 4000 people expected to attend the debate and surrounding events. Parking for the sand sculpture is located in the old Myrtle Square mall site, across the street from the Myrtle Beach convention center. On Monday, January 16, visitors should enter to park from 17 Business/Kings Highway as Oak Street will be closed from 21st Ave North to 29th Ave North.
For more information call (843) 626-7444 or visit www.visitmyrtlebeach.com/debate.
Editorial note: Media are encouraged to visit www.MyrtleBeachDebateMedia.com for more information on the sand feature, debate and surrounding activities.
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Kimberly Miles
Public Relations Manager
Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of Commerce