banner
CONTACT US
***** NJ DISCOVER IS A FULL SERVICE HD PRODUCTION COMPANY - STRENGTH IS PRODUCING TV COMMERCIALS AND WEBMERCIALS SO YOU COULD ADVERTISE YOUR BUSINESS ON CABLE TELEVISION, SOCIAL MEDIA AND THE WORLDWIDE WEB - "GET DISCOVERED WITH NJ DISCOVER" - CONTACT US TODAY FOR DETAILS at 732-303-8844 *****

On My Way to See a Wizard Building a World Record Sandcastle On Point Pleasant Beach by Calvin Schwartz. October 6, 2013

On My Way to See a Wizard Building a World Record Sandcastle On Point Pleasant Beach by Calvin Schwartz.  October 6, 2013

the beginning of my journey to sand castle imaginaiton.

the beginning of my journey to sand castle imagination.

 

 

On Thursday morning October 3rd I got a call from the head of NJ Discover (my boss) inviting me to experience a new world of record breaking sandcastle construction and imagination launching points. I’ve never really seen sandcastles other than the ones I built myself on Belmar beach when President Eisenhower was playing golf on the news and the Everly Brothers started singing ‘Bye Bye Love a long time ago. The castles I built seemed to last less than ten minutes and vanished quickly in wind and ocean wave.

Thing is; I had no concept about the scope and enormity of the project being built on Point Pleasant Beach by Jenkinson’s in conjunction with Superstorm Sandy One Year Anniversary. So as I walked the steps from the boardwalk to a patch of sand then through a makeshift office,  public relations and souvenir booth to the site of a 30 foot partially existing sand structure, I stood in awe as a towering spire of sandcastle dwarfed my 6’5” height.

my first sighting of sculptor Ed Jarrett

my first sighting of sculptor Ed Jarrett

 

on his way down so we can talk. i don't climb ladders

on his way down so we can talk. i don’t climb ladders

I was overwhelmed and walked around the circumference. Built into the side of the castle was a ‘sand’ car in the Holland Tunnel with a license plate, ‘Brzy Pt.’ Was I in the Metropolitan Museum of Art? The detail work on the sculptured castle was incredible. I looked around the beach. It was a warm day for October; a handful of people in beach chairs were still clinging to last vestiges of summer.

Then I spotted a figure way on top of the castle who waved and invited me to come on up the ladder but I’d wait for his descent. NJ Discover’s chief introduced me to the artist, sculptor, culinary artist and world record holder, Ed Jarrett. “Could that sand castle hold my weight if I climbed up?” “Sure.” Of course I was still in denial and retrieved my reporter’s microphone; it was time to interview Ed Jarrett.

“How did you evolve into all of this sand sculpting?” I powered-on the microphone. Ed’s mother advised him that if he went to art school, he would become a starving artist so he went to Culinary Arts School at Johnson and Wales in Rhode Island. In one class, he learned how to ice carve. He remembered when an instructor walked out with a chain saw. “Standing in a puddle of water, I learned ice sculpture.”

that sand car in the Holland tunnel

that sand car in the Holland tunnel

check out the detail work

the bridge to the new castle

 

 

While a junior student, he got into a seafood cooking challenge and beat out the instructors and best chefs in the state. Later he did a New York food show and took first place in pastry. He had his own ice carving and catering business before he graduated. Along the academic way, Ed took management courses and ended up managing private golf courses but still practiced snow and ice carvings. “I got into wood carving eight years ago and sand sculpture 11 years ago. I just finished a 22 foot totem pole for an Iraqi War veteran who is blind. He wanted his kids to see it. We became best friends.”  He doesn’t do ice sculptures for weddings anymore. “I have to do bigger projects with a meaning behind it.” Just then a helicopter flew overhead. We both looked up smiling.

me and Ed

me and Ed

 

info to check out

info to check out

Ed was born in Maine. Somehow I thought he was a Jersey native. I wondered how he wound up in Jersey on Point Pleasant Beach. His best friend from college called him after Hurricane Sandy but couldn’t really explain or comprehend what happened like his neighbor’s house resting in the middle of the street. His friend, in the tile business, was out of business for a while. So Alan suggested to Ed about building a sandcastle on the NJ beach. He knew lots of people and they could bring in lake sand and make it happen.

“I came to Jersey to build one castle and now I’m building a second one to get the Guinness record for the 2500 school children that helped me on the first one. I’ve gotten world records every time I tried and been out here every day now to make this happen.” He pointed to the wood foundation; it’s the same technique how a bucket is used to build a small beach sandcastle. “This new  Sandy castle is already six feet in the air. It goes fast now. By this weekend it’ll be double size on its way to over 40 feet high which just beats my record.” Then Ed paused a few seconds and took a deep breath. “It’s not about beating a record but all the community that comes out and helps. I want to see these kids wear the tee shirts with pride that they had a chance to sign official Guinness log book. It becomes a family and sense of community.” People walking by on the boardwalk stop and ask, “Can I help?” And yes there is even a bucket brigade system used to move the 1.6 million pounds of sand.

putting me and the sandcastle in height perspective

putting me and the sandcastle in height perspective

 

I had to ask Ed, “Is there something special about us Jersey folks?”  He was quick to respond as if he’d been waiting for this question. “There’s an incredible energy. I’ve never wanted to do two sandcastles in any one year. It’s been the biggest high and energy level right here from all the people volunteering and coming back for more. We are Jersey Strong. Of all the builds I’ve done, this is the most fulfilling. Best karma with all the people here.”  Ed’s lived all over the world but has fallen in love with Jersey.

I asked about the sand used for his sandcastles and reminded him that all my sandcastles as a kid at the Jersey shore never lasted more than ten minutes or made it over 12 inches high. He laughed at my childhood ‘deconstruction.’  “In my three world records in Maine, I used lake sand which is powdery sifted sand. Every one of the grains is sharp because glaciers over time have roughed them up. Beach sand here is rounded by ocean currents and it becomes like marbles together. My sand is sharp and edges interlock like Velcro. Rain sucks the water in and pulls it tighter. I can walk on the castle. Of course I do design my castles with moats to drain the rain water.”

Then Ed’s voice got louder and prideful. “I’m the greenest sculptor out there. People sometimes think there is wood or binders or glue holding my castles together. But not; you see I don’t want to contaminate the sand so I can use it again.” The new castle which will be finished by October 29th for a huge celebrity filled celebration at Jenkinson’s will have a gothic feel and be part haunted for Halloween and ready for Guinness’s new category, ‘World’s Tallest Sculpture.’

I felt invigorated and spiritual. I’d spent an hour with a very special artist and world record holder. The best way to finish this article right now is to remind EVERYONE that NJ Discover is LIVE STREAMING the entire sandcastle building process, day and night(24/7) for everyone to follow right up until October 29th.  Check NJDiscover.com website for info on Oct 29th celebration!!  Here is the link to watch live streaming of the sandcastle:
Watch Ed Jarrett and his volunteers LIVE as they build a world record sand castle! Tune in everyday to see the progress.

Please support our sponsors! Eco Building ProductsJenkinson’s Boardwalk, Sandy Castle 2013 & NJ Discover !

Live Video Provided By These Sponsors!

ECO_LOGO_NJ_Sand-Castle

The Leader in Lumber Protection

Eco is the premier manufacturer of proprietary wood products coated with Eco Red Shield™, our exclusive eco-friendly chemistry that protects against mold, rot-decay, termites and now fire. We believe lumber is back as the best building material and invite you to learn more about our products, as well as what makes today’s framing lumber different and more susceptible to mold, termites and fire.

 

 

 

Jenks

Jenkinson’s Boardwalk offers your family a wide range of activities. Whether you are visiting for the day or the entire summer, you will always find something to excite every member of your family. From free weekly events to yearly festivals, there is always something extraordinary to experience here at Jenkinson’s.

 

sandy sand castle

Sandy Castle 2013, Second Edition. The current structure will remain in place until Labor Day. After that, it will be dismantled and we will begin packing sand into forms for a second attempt at breaking the Guinness World Record for the Tallest Sandcastle.

 

 

nj discovers logo

NJ Discover, a New Jersey based production company that produces TV commercials, Web commercials, Local TV Show and Social Media Ad Delivery and Management Company that specializes in getting your video seen by your targeted audience. NJ Discover proudly serves the entire state and is dedicating to positive programming for New Jersey.

 

 

And on Facebook (The Sandy Castle Foundation): https://www.facebook.com/sandycastlefoundation

 

A PLACE TO DONATE AND VOLUNTEER:  http://jarrettscastle.com/

 

 

1 comment

#1בקר באתר האינטרנט שלהםSeptember 13, 2014, 11:59 am

Good post. I learn something totally new and challenging on blogs I stumbleupon everyday.

It will always be interesting to read through content from other authors and practice a little something from their web
sites.

Add your comment

Nickname:
E-mail:
Website:
Comment:

*

Other articlesgo to homepage

At The Vineyard Show Hawk Haven Winery – [VIDEO]

At The Vineyard Show Hawk Haven Winery – [VIDEO](0)

At the Vineyard is a television series presented by the Garden State Wine Growers Association. In this edition, Tom Cosentino visits Hawk Haven Vineyard & Winery in Cape May where he sits down with owner and winemaker Todd Wuerker. Thanks to Todd and Kenna Wuerker and their team at Hawk Haven Vineyards & Winery The

Monroeville Winery Salem County Vignette [Video]

Monroeville Winery Salem County Vignette [Video](0)

Explore Salem County, NJ and visit Monroeville Vineyard & Winery and the Salem Historical Society Museum in the Garden State Wine Growers Association’s new Passport Series Tourism Vignette. Tweet

Heritage Winery – At The Vineyard Show Episode 2

Heritage Winery – At The Vineyard Show Episode 2(0)

Heritage Winery – At The Vineyard Show Episode 2 At the Vineyards Show New Jersey wines are being recognized nationally for their excellence in renowned wine competitions and the industry has seen tremendous growth with over 50 licensed wineries now operating in the state. The Garden State Wine Growers Association’s (GSWGA) ongoing mission has been

At The Vineyard Show, Four Sisters Winery – Tutorial

At The Vineyard Show, Four Sisters Winery – Tutorial(0)

New Jersey wines are being recognized nationally for their excellence in renowned wine competitions and the industry has seen tremendous growth with over 50 licensed wineries now operating in the state. The Garden State Wine Growers Association’s (GSWGA) ongoing mission has been to increase the awareness, appreciation and quality of wines produced in New Jersey. 

MY NEW BALANCE:  A GIRL ON A JOURNEY TO A BALANCED LIFE & WRITING ABOUT IT ALONG THE WAY: MENTAL ILLNESS: MY STORY      By Holly Chok  May 20, 2017

MY NEW BALANCE: A GIRL ON A JOURNEY TO A BALANCED LIFE & WRITING ABOUT IT ALONG THE WAY: MENTAL ILLNESS: MY STORY By Holly Chok May 20, 2017(0)

MY NEW BALANCE: A GIRL ON A JOURNEY TO A BALANCED LIFE & WRITING ABOUT IT ALONG THE WAY: MENTAL ILLNESS: MY STORY          By Holly Chok     May 20, 2017                     MY NEW BALANCE A GIRL ON A JOURNEY TO A

read more
banner

NJD NEW VIDEO

Artist Nation TV

banner

Find Us on Facebook

The Garden State Wine Growers Association

banner

NJ Discover Tweets

    Contacts and information

    MV Digital Productions is NJ Discover\'s very own full service Production Company. MV Digital will produce a professional quality HD commercial or infomercial for your business at an affordable price in a very short period of time.

    NJ Discover is Your One Stop Shopping for TV/Internet Production and Advertising.

    Social networks

    Most popular categories

    © 2011-2012 NJ Discover All rights reserved.