Winter Sandyland returns to Okaloosa Island benefiting local children in need

OKALOOSA ISLAND — For the third year in a row, one of the most interesting Christmas exhibits along the Emerald Coast returns, all for those in need.

From 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 6, The Island Resort in Fort Walton Beach will host the third annual Winter Sandyland, a walkthrough Christmas art exhibit featuring sand sculptures made by local sand artists.

Founded by Jason Harwell, owner of Erase The Trace Okaloosa and Sand Effects, in 2023. The event was created as a toy drive for local children in need.

This year, toy donations will benefit children throughout Okaloosa County, with any remaining toys going to children in the Sylvania Heights area of Fort Walton Beach.

For the 2025 event, Harwell will be joined by another sand artist, “Dan in the Sand, along with Peggy Nielsen, Shey Knight, Raleigh and Bobby Satterwhite, Keith and Tammy Byrd, Tony and Mica Tinnin and Rick Vanevenhoven.

Parking for the event is free, and admission to the sculpture exhibit can be made with either a toy donation, a gift card, or a cash donation; the latter two will be given to a local organization.