SOUTH JERSEY (KYW Newsradio) — A teacher is being recognized for his massive sand art sculpture representing Cape May County after the exhibit won Best in Show at the Great American State Fair in Washington, D.C.
New Jersey wasn’t even supposed to have a booth at the America 250 fair, as multiple states opted out, but officials from Cape May County contacted Brendan Schaffer about doing something special just a few days prior to the event.
Schaffer, his husband, and his father got right to work creating a design for the 8-foot-tall sand art pyramid. They spent two and a half days molding and carving nearly 10 tons of sand.
He said the display shows off many of the things that make Cape May County a special place.
“The Cape May Lighthouse right in the middle. And then we have the eco-tourism part with a great blue heron, a monarch butterfly,” he said. “We really nailed it and got everything we wanted on the sculpture.”
Schaffer poured his heart and soul into this project, and he hopes it inspires others to visit the places he loves so much.
“Different shops around town and people are recognizing me — ‘you’re that sculptor’ — it really just brings a smile to my face, and that’s what I love to do every day of my life, just bring joy to other people.”
