by Elizabeth Connolly
Hometown Weekly Reporter
The weather couldn’t have been more spectacular for the 40th annual Sand Sculpture contest that took place at Farm Pond in Sherborn and was hosted by the Friends of Farm Pond (FOFP).
This year, eighteen entrants of a variety of ages spent about 90 minutes preparing their works of art in sectioned-off areas on the beach. Castles and sea creatures took shape with the help of gardening and sand tools, as well as buckets of water to help soften, glue and sculpt. In some cases, it was a family effort, and in others, groups of friends. Everyone seemed to be having a great time. “This is so fun!” one young team member said to her group as she approached with a bucket of water.
As usual, FOFP members were on-hand to judge the sculptures, but there was no losing for anyone: all participants were awarded a prize! “It’s all about just having a fun day with family and friends,” one FOFP representative said.
Farm Pond is called a “kettle” lake, which means that it was created by a melting piece of glacier that left the area about 12,000 years ago. At its deepest depths it is 58 feet and consists of approximately 124 acres. The pond, which perhaps more closely mirrors a lake, is thought to have gotten its name from both the antiquated term “farme,” which meant a land grant given as payment on behalf of either the colony or the crown, and “pond,” which refers to its membership status as a “Great Pond,” meaning all early colonial settlers had the right to fish in it. These days, Farm Pond is home to the town beach, the swim team, swimming lessons, the Sherborn Yacht Club, and annual events such as the Admiral Funbelow Perimeter Swim, fourth of July celebrations, Penny-A-Rock-Day, and of course the beloved Sand Sculpture contest.
The Sand Sculpture contest was included in the year-long celebration of Sherborn’s 350th birthday. Details about these celebrations can be found at sherborn350.org. More information on Farm Pond can be found at sherbornma.org/692/Farm-Pond or on the FOFP Facebook page.
