Dates of Event: June 16-18

Location: 180 Ocean Blvd, Hampton Beach, New Hampshire (an hour north of Boston)

Parking: There are about 100 to 200 parking spots in front of the beach – you pay at a parking metered machine.  Or, you can find parking at parking lots on Ashworth St. The prices for parking vary depending on the season or month or when there is a special event such as the sand sculpting competition.  In April, metered parking costs $1 and hour and it costs $2 an hour from May until Nov.  Free parking begins Nov. 4.  Parking on Ashworth St. can vary depending on the time and day during “beach season”.   During my visit, parking was $10 in the morning but was increased to $15 in the afternoon for all day parking (until 2 a.m.) and $20 all day parking during the weekends in the summer.

Cost:  The beach does not have an admission fee.

Dog Friendly:  Yes, but not on the beach (at least not during beach season)

This time of year past 16 years, people flock to Hampton Beach to show off their sand sculpting skills.  It may seem like child’s play.  But, these are no run of the mill sand castles.  They really are works of art.

It takes a long time to construct these complex sculptures.  The photos below show the progression of the works of art.  It’s hard to believe some of the photos of the works of art are the same as the final work of art.  Some of these photos do not show the sculptures in their final phase.

“Emerge” by David Andrews (third place)

“Rising From The Abyss” by Guy-Oliver Deaveau of Quebec (first place and Sculptor’s Choice)

“She Loves Me” by Justin Gordon of Massachusetts (People’s Choice Award winner)

“Dada Read” by Carl Jara of Ohio (4th place)

“Let It Be Magnificent” by Mélineige Beauregard of Montreal

“Phoenix Rising” by Karen Jean Fralich of Toronto (5th place)

“Selfie In Sand” by Damon Langlois of British Columbia

“Hunters Of The Sky” by Michel Lepire of Quebec

“All Together Now” by Abe Waterman of Prince Edward Island (2nd place)

“It’s About Time” by Greg J. Grady of New Hampshire

There were also some sculptures that weren’t part of the contest like this sand castle (what would a sand sculpture contest be without one?) and a sand sculpture designed for the sponsors of the event.

There were some other cool things at the event like Ronald McDonald (ok, I said some cool things) and a cool car that was being raffled off.

Dogs love the sand sculpting competition also.

Tuckerman, a 9 year old Golden Retriever, looked like a teddy bear!

Caspian, whose name is made up of the first letter of his guardian’s relatives, is a 4 year old Siberian Husky.  As you can see, he loved to be petted.

Minnie got dressed up for the event!

Lola’s smile was infectious.

Becca, a terrier mix who turned one in May, wanted to play in the sand.

As if one Burnese Mountain dog wasn’t enough, Brooksie, pitcured above, (3 years old) ran into his friend Guiness (5 years old)

Guiness is on the left and Brooksie is on the right in this photo.

As you can see from the photos, the sand sculpting competition is a big hit with both people and dogs!

Although they all look great, I liked the “She Loves Me” sculpture (the third one listed in the photos) best.  What is your favorite sculpture?

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