The Coney Island Unity Day Celebration and Sand Sculpting Contest was just that, a day of unity and sandy creations. Walking down the antique boardwalk didn’t boast anything unusual until we reached the sand line. The first sculpture promoting the Wildlife Conservation Society was professionally done.

Around noon, we saw many sandy mounds and eagerly waited the final products. There wasn’t just sand sculpting. The unity day celebration included  a quirky talent show on the boardwalk, including a rapper who looked like she had rummaged through Lady Gaga’s closet with a blindfold on, as well as a duo wearing gorilla costumes from the bottom of that same closet. An xylophone and bass troupe played old timey classics. It was a hipster’s paradise, teetering expertly between ironic and tacky. It was great.

After laying out in the sun and enjoying some of Coney Island’s rides, we walked back by the sand sculpting to see how things were progressing. Although none would rival Michelangelo’s David, the artists produced some pretty amazing interpretations with only granulated rocks and water. Among my personal favorites were an elephant, an alligator, and a naked couple lying in the sand. But the Unity Day Celebration wasn’t just to exhibit talented sand artisans, it was to promote family and community building. It was fun watching little kids create castles out of sand and decorate them with their favorite Barbies.

The Unity Day Celebration encapsulated all that it’s sponsoring company, Astella Development Corp., stood for, creating a better community for Coney Island. Astella is a 36-year old not-for-profit organization that aids locals with housing issues, works to stimulate more economic growth, and job preparation.  Th day provided great entertainment for families and hipsters alike. And where else could we have found a pink gorilla playing bass?