It’s time for some sun, surf and sand as the kids get out of school. Every year about this time, Hampton hosts its world-class sand sculpture competition. It begins this week.
Artists come from all over to compete for the $15,000 in prizes.
The fun starts Wednesday when 250 tons of imported sand is dropped on Hampton Beach near the state park pavilion.
The Grady Bunch as they are known, start pounding up the sand.
The solo competition begins Thursday and goes through Saturday with voting on Saturday from 1 to 4 p.m. for the people’s choice awards.
The awards ceremony will be held on Saturday at 8 p.m. on the Seashell Stage followed by a special fireworks display at 9:30 p.m.
You can sign up for free sand sculpting lessons on June 21 from 1 to 3 p.m. The sign-up is offered the day of the lesson only in person outside the Chamber Office near the Sand Sculpture event.
Even if you can’t make it this week, the entire area near the Sea Shell is illuminated for night viewing through July 6.
The event is funded by the Hampton Beach Village District and sponsors, in cooperation with The Hampton Area Chamber of Commerce and The NH Division of Parks.
It all began in 2000 when local artist and master sand sculptor Gregory Grady was commissioned by the U.S. Mint to create a larger-than-life replica of the new tail side edition New Hampshire quarter out of ten tons of sand during the Hampton Beach Children’s Festival.
At the time, it was just a part of the statewide celebration held for the release of that coin. It was something Hampton Beach had never seen the likes of before.
The following year, the first annual Hampton Beach Master Sand Sculpture Competition was held.
When 220 tons of imported sand was trucked into the beach, Gregory Grady and his ‘bunch’ labored for five days on the sponsor site followed by a three-day competition where 10 world class masters created their own unique sculpture.
Over the course of the event nothing but sand, water and a bit of their own creativity is used to create astonishing works of art.
When completed they are sprayed with windscreen (a solution of school glue and water) to protect them from the elements and remain standing for viewing for weeks creating a free museum of master pieces on the beach.
This invitation-only event has grown and will feature a sponsor site of 150 tons, with 10 world class masters vying for $15,000 in purse and entry awards.
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