Summer has arrived and that means the return of the Sand Sculpting Competition to Hampton Beach, New Hampshire! Started 10 years ago when local Master Sculptor Greg Grady, www. GregGrady.com , was commissioned by the U.S. Mint to create a sand replica of the newly released NH quarter for the Hampton Beach Children’s Festival, the competition is now the largest in the Northeast and an invitation-only event. Competitors come from all over the world to compete for cash prizes and the opportunity to move on to the World Championships.
Sand and water are the only materials allowed in the competition and each contestant is given 10 tons of sand. Compressing the sand and water by pounding it into forms helps keep it together. The height of the pieces is achieved by packing sand into wooden or plastic forms, carving the sculpture from the top down and removing each form one at a time. The event is timed and each of the competitors, working alone, is allowed 21 hours over three days to complete their project. After the sculpture is completed, it is sprayed with a bio-degradable mixture of glue and water to keep it from blowing away before the judging.
This year’s event, running from June 19 – 30, features 14 world class Master Sand Sculptors who work together on a 200 ton sponsor sculpture before beginning the Master Solo Competition on June 25th. Follow progress of the sculptors with the live beach camera at www.hamptonbeach.org and weigh in for your favorite piece on Saturday, June 26th from 1-4 pm during voting for the People’s Choice Award.
