Sand Sculpture Event

The fun starts Friday, June 12th when 300 tons of imported sand is dropped on Hampton Beach and the "Grady Bunch" starts pounding up the sponsor site. The entire area is illuminated for night viewing through June 28th. Watch Gregory Grady and "The Grady Bunch" build a mammoth Sand Demo Site. View all entries on line at this website. The competition is by invitation only. Interested Master Sand Sculptors may contact event co-organizer: www.GregGrady.com 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.

Interested sponsors or volunteers should contact us at hamptonbeachinfo@comcast.net
or fill out our VOLUNTEER FORM to sign up!

Check out our 2009 Sand Sculpting Sponsors!

2009 Sand Sculpting sponsorship information

How it Started - How its Grown

It all began in 2000 with twenty-five cents. One quarter. The New Hampshire Quarter to be precise.

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 Childrens Festival. At the time, it was just a part if the statewide celebration held for the release of that coin. It was something Hampton Beach had never seen the likes of before!

Fortunately, it was something Hampton Beach would see again. 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 with Gregory Grady and his 'bunch' laboring for five days on the sponsor site followed by a three day competition of ten world class masters creating their own unique sculpture, a new era was born and sand sculpture had arrived to the northeast. 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 out of shapeless heaps of sand. 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.

Over the last five years, this invitational only event has grown in leaps and bounds making it the largest Masters competition in the Northeast United States.This year Hampton Beach will feature a sponsor site of 200 tons, fifteen world class masters vying for $15,000.00 in purse and entry awards, free lessons and will be illuminated at night for viewing and much much more. Hampton has attracted the attention of millions of visitors who came to watch something which is part sculpture part performance art.

It is something you have to see in person to believe.

Because Hampton has great world class sand sculpting and a whole lot more!

2009 Sand Sculpting Winners

1st: Carl Jara of Lyndhurst, Ohio. "Blossom"
2nd: Karen Fralich of Ontario. "Dueling Grannies"
3rd: Justin Gordon of Groveland, Mass., "Whispering Oak"
4th: Michel Lepire of Quebec. "Garden Delight"
5th: Lucinda Wierenga of South Padre Island, Texas. "Peeping Tom"
Sculptors Choice: Marc Lepire of Quebec."Captain M...Arrrghk"
Peoples Choice: Marc Lepire of Quebec."Captain M...Arrrghk"

2005 Gallery
2006 Gallery
2007 Gallery
2008 Gallery
2009 Contestants

Schedule for 2009 Master Sand Sculpting Competition

Fri., June 12
300 tons of imported sand will be delivered to Hampton Beach

Sat. - Wed., June 13 - 17
Massive 200 Ton Sponsor Site Created

Wed., June 17
Sponsors Grand Finale with a Master Group Carve

Thurs., Fri., & Sat. 18-19-20
Solo Competition $15,000 purse and entry awards

Thurs., Fri., & Sat. 18-19-20
Free Lesson 1 - 3 p.m. (sign-up required)
Sign-up day of the lesson ONLY in person outside the Chamber Office near the Sand Sculpture event.

Sat., June 20, 1:00 - 4:00 PM
Voting for People's Choice Award

Sat., June 20 at 8:00 PM
Awards Ceremony on Sea Shell Stage.

Special Fireworks Display at 9:30

The event is lighted for nightly viewing thru June 28th.

The $15,000 in purse and entry awards will be distributed as follows:
1st Prize - $3,000
2nd Prize - $2,500
3rd Prize - $2,000
4th Prize - $1,500
5th Prize - $1,000
People Choice - $1,000

The non-placing sculptors will each receive a $500 fee for competing.

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