HamptonBeach Master Sand Sculpting Competition Announces Winners!

HAMPTON BEACH, NH - June 26, 2010 -- The 10th Annual Master Sand Sculpting Competition in Hampton Beach, NH concluded its competition on Saturday. The first place winner was Justin Gordon from Groveland, MA with a sculpture titled "It's No Yolk," an egg-shaped sculpture which was meant to depict the world as it is today. Gordon wins a cash prize of $3,000 and a trip to the World Championships in Federal Way, Washington.

Karen Fralich from Burlington, Ontario, Canada took second place with the sculpture "A Picture Comes to Life." Third place went to Guy-Olivier Deveau from Quebec City, Quebec, Canada, for his sculpture "Ravishing and Ravenous." Fourth place was the sculpture "Fish Out of Water" made by Carl Jara of Lyndhurst, Ohio. And fifth place went to Michael Lepire of Charlesbourg, Quebec, Canada with the sculpture "The Enchanting Spirit."

The "People's Choice" Award was given to Michael Lepire from Charlesbourg, Quebec, for the two-sided sculpture, "The Enchanting Spirit," a beautifully detailed dragon wrapped around a church.

The "Sculptor's Choice" Award was given to Guy-Olivier Deveau for his intricately designed piece, "Ravishing and Ravenous," which resembled a modern-day female warrior.

The sculptures this year ranged from a fish in a bowl to a couple of dragons, and stunning depiction of a new Betsy Ross.

The sculptors carved over three days, from June 24-26, to complete their own private sculpture using 10 tons of sand.

Voting took place and awards were given out on Saturday, June 26 and the Awards Presentation took place at 8 p.m. on the Sea Shell Stage. The band the Continentals provided musical entertainment.

The sculptures will remain on display through June 30th, and will be lit for night viewing.

Photos of the winning sculptures are coming soon!

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The fun starts Friday, June 18th 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 30th. 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 past Sand Sculpting Sponsors!

2010 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!