HAMPTON BEACH, NH -- The Hampton Beach Sand Sculpting Competition in Hampton Beach, NH celebrates its tenth year this summer.  The event will be held June 19th-30th, and attracts world-famous sand sculptors.  This year's competition is also the only East Coast qualifying event for the nationals.  (Continued below)

"This isn't about building sand castles, no matter how incredible they might be," says Greg Grady, event coordinator, and himself a master sculptor.  "These artists have an extremely high degree of skill, creating art that is both unique and sophisticated.  They are continually pushing themselves to the next level.  We never know what they are going to attempt from year to year, and that's part of the excitement of this competition."

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 elaborately detailed mermaids, Roman pavilions, knitting grandmothers, mythical forest figures, pirates, buddas and dragons -- to name a few.

The Hampton Beach Master Sand Sculpting Competition is the longest running solo master sand sculpting event in New England.  Known for its high caliber of competition, the event features several past world champions.  Among the champions returning this year are Carl Jara, current world title holder, from Lyndhurst, OH; Dan Belcher, former world champion from St. Louis, MO; and Karen Fralich, former world title holder, from Ontario, Canada.

Other entrants include Lucinda "Sandy Feet" Wierenga from South Padre Island, TX; Michael Lepire and his son, Marc Lepire from Charlesbourg, Quebec, Canada; Justin Gordon from Groveland, MA; "Attilio" Steve Topazio from Tiverton, RI; Gregory Grady and his son, Greg Grady, Hampton Beach, NH; and Marielle Heessels from Rijen, Netherlands.  Heessels has competed in 17 different countries, but this is her first competition in the United States.  Every sculptor competing has been in the top five at the World Championships.

The sculptors have a total of 21 hours over three days to complete their own private plot and 10 tons of sand to work with.  Sculptors will be carving June 24th-26th, with voting and awards given out on the evening of the 26th, followed by fireworks.  The sculptures will remain on display through June 30th, and will be lit for night viewing.

This year, sculptors are competing not only for the Hampton Beach contest's $15,000 in prize money, but also to qualify for the World Championships.  The winner here will get an all-expense paid trip to the Worlds, to be held at Port Angeles in Washington state in September.

Prior to the masters beginning their competition, a massive 200-ton sponsor site will be created from June 19th-23rd, and a Masters Group Carve will take place on the 23rd.  Visitors who want to learn how to do sand carving can sign up for free lessons on Saturday, June 26th.  Lessons will be held from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. and you can only sign up the day of the lesson.  Register at the Chamber Office, next to the Sand Sculpture Event.

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, visit the official web site