Chris Christie’s trip to the beach immortalized in sand

Credit: Andrew Mills

Credit: Andrew Mills

People in New Jersey aren't letting Gov. Chris Christie's trip to a closed beach go. Sand artists, known only as Larry and Tom, used their talents to create sculpture of Christie in his beach chair next to a shark, WNBC reported. Written in the sand: "Beach closed," "I Love New Jersey" and "July 4th." It also says "IBSP" between Christie's feet. IBSP stands for Island Beach State Park, NJ.com reported.

Christie shut down the state's government over a budget impasse. The shutdown included state-run beaches ahead of the July 4 holiday. Despite the closure, Christie was photographed with his family on a closed state beach.

Christie signed the state budget just after midnight Tuesday, reopening the state beaches for the holiday. The rest of the government will be back at work on Wednesday, NJ.com reported.

Larry and Tom started their creation at 9 a.m. Tuesday and put the final touches on it by 1 p.m.

Lifeguards told WNBC that Larry and Tom come to the same area of Seaside Heights every year to build a sand sculpture. Last year they honored the victims of Sept. 11, marking the 15th anniversary of the attacks.

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