2014 Hampton Beach Master Sand Sculpting Competition
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Sand Sculpture Hampton-BeachMARK YOUR CALENDAR
 
The 14th Annual Hampton Beach Master Sand Sculpting Competition in will kick off with the dropping of the sand on Friday, June 13, 2014. The competition will be heldJune 19-21, 2014, and will once again feature world-famous sand sculptors from all overNorth America. (Click title for full article)

The sculptors use nothing but sand, water, and a few plastic or wooden forms to allow them to initially build their masterpieces up high (the forms are later removed). Past creations have featured a demon and similar characters conceived from video games, a grandmother who lived in a shoe, a fish in a bowl, pirates, giant cats, Buddha, fairy tale characters, and an eagle--to name a few.

TheHamptonBeachMaster Sand Sculpting Championship is the longest running solo master sand sculpting event inNew England. Known for its high caliber of competition, the event features several past world champions. Among the sculptors competing this year is Carl Jara, former world title holder, fromLyndhurst,OH. Carl is the returning champion and "People's Choice" winner from last year. He has now won two in a row atHamptonBeachand five in total. 
 
Karen Fralich, a five-time world champion fromOntario,Canadawill be back again too. Also back by popular demand is Michel Lepire. Michel won the People's Choice award in 2011, and is also a former world champion.
 
Other entrants include Lucinda "Sandy Feet" Wierenga from South Padre Island, TX; Guy-Olivier Deveau from Quebec City, Quebec, Canada, who took 2nd place in 2013; Justin Gordon, Hampton Beach's 2010 winner, from Groveland, MA; Gregory Grady and his son, Greg Grady, from Hampton Beach, NH; Darlene Duggan of Essex, MA, Carissa Porcaro of Portland, ME, two sculptors returning to Hampton Beach, David Andrews from Wisconsin, the current U.S. National Snow Sculpting Champion, and Sue McGrew from Washington, who is the youngest of the group. Sue will be appearing in the Travel Channel's "Sand Masters" reality TV show this month. New toHamptonBeachthis year is Damon Langlois fromBritish Columbia,Canada, who recently returned fromKuwaitwhere he led in the construction of the world's largest sand sculpture. 

The sculptors have a total of 24 hours over three days to complete their sandy works of art. They are each given their own private plot and 10 tons of sand to work with. Sculptors will be carving June 19-21, with voting and awards given out on Saturdayevening. The sculptures will remain on display through July 6th, and will be lit for night viewing.

The sculptors are competing for $15,000 in prize money.
Prior to the masters beginning their competition, a massive 150-ton sponsor site will be created June 18th, and a Masters Group Carve will take place later that day. Visitors who want to learn how to do sand carving can sign up for free lessons on Friday, June 20 and Saturday, June 21. Lessons will be held from1 p.m.to3 p.m.and you can only sign up the day of the lesson. Register at the Chamber Office, next to the Sand Sculpture Event. On Saturday, June 21 the winners will be announced on the Sea Shell stage at8 p.m., followed by a spectacular fireworks display over the Atlantic Ocean. 

Every year, visitors are mesmerized by the transformation of tons of sand into creations of both whimsical fantasy and lifelike design. While beach-goers fervently hope for sun, Grady notes that rainy days are perfect days for viewing the sand sculptures. "Rain actually strengthens the sculptures, so if it rains, come on down and see some magic on the beach." To learn more about the Sand Sculpting Competition, and the many other activities atHamptonBeach, visitwww.hamptonbeach.org.