The fun starts Friday, June 13th 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 26th. Watch Greg 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

Check out our 2008 Sand Sculpting Sponsors!

Sand Sculpting sponsorship information

How it Started - How its Grown

Local artist and master sand sculptor Greg 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 Greg 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, thirteen 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!

Schedule for 2008 Master Sand Sculpting Competition

Fri., June 13
300 tons of imported sand will be delivered to Hampton Beach

Sat., Sun., Mon., June 14, 15, & 16
"Pounding Up" and sponsor site takes shape

Tue. & Wed., June 17 & 18
Master Group Carve on sponsor site

Thurs., Fri., & Sat. 19-20-21
Solo Competition $15,000 purse and entry awards

Thurs., Fri., & Sat. 19-20-21
Free Lesson 1 - 3 p.m. (sign-up required)
Sign-up day of the lesson ONLY in person at the Chamber Office near the Sand Sculpture event.

Sat., June 21, 1:00 - 4:00 PM
Voting for People's Choice Award

Sat., June 21 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 26th. Sand & art will be removed on Fri., June 27th.