Date Of Event: July 27-29
Location: Revere Beach, Revere Beach Blvd, Revere, MA (20 minutes northeast of Boston, MA)
Cost: Free
Parking: parking is limited during the festival as the city shuts down the main roadway (Revere Beach Blvd). Visitors are encourage to take public or rideshare services. I arrived early so I was able to find a spot just before the road closures began.
Dog Friendly: Yes
Summary: 10 sand sculptors showed off their talent at the 21st International Sand Sculpture Festival
The sculptors are coming to the Revere Beach Sand Sculpture Festival. Well, they actually already arrived, But, what a fitting place to celebrate this year’s sand sculpture festival.
The first public beach in America hosted 10 sand sculptors from all over the world.
Since it is the 250th anniversary of the beginning of the American Revolution, there were sand sculptures representing the revolution. Fittingly, one of the sculptures, which was lighted up for my early morning visit.
There was also a sculpture of the minutemen from that era.
There were some familiar names at the event. Many of the sand sculptors who participated in the event in previous years competed again this year. And, some of the sculptors who participated in the 2025 Hampton Beach International Sand Sculpture Festival participated in this year’s sand sculpture festival in Revere.
One of those familiar names and faces in this year’s competition was Abe Waterman. Abe, a resident of Canada, earned a hat trick in hockey parlance, for his sculpture “Delicate Balance.” Abe won first place as well as the Sculptor’s Choice award which is voted on by the other contestants and the people’s choice award which is voted on by the visitors at the festival.
Slavian Borecki of Poland earned second place for “Deep Sleep.”
Hanneke Supply of Belgium won third place with “Eye See You.”
Although the rest of the sculptures did not place in the competition, they all deserve recognition for the beauty of their works and the hard work they put into them.
One of these contestants who deserves recognition is Jimmy Bejko of Boston, for his sculpture “I Want To Break Free.” Bejko moved to Boston from Albania recently. This was his second year in the competition.
Despite not winning an award, “Intrepid Innocence (Boop!)” by Damon Meri of Florida, USA, was a fan favorite.
It was hard to find resources or information regarding the inspiration for these sculptures. But, a photographer who spoke to the sculptor told me the sculpture was inspired by Damon’s young niece who is not afraid of anything and would most likely pet a dragon rather than run away if she saw one.
Bruce Phillips of San Diego, California, sculpted “Inner Prison” a sculpture with quite a bit of intricate detail.
Although, it’s not clear, this sculpture may be a nod to mental health and the prison it can create in people as this is similar to a work he created at the Hampton sand sculpture festival called “Imprisoned” which was about mental health and the barriers it can cause.
“Catch Your Dreams” by Jobi Bouchard of Canada also had a lot of intricate details. It also shows how the backs of the sculptures can be as detailed and pretty as the front.
This sculpture depicts something that has been in the news lately. “The Rise of AI” by Matt Deibert of New Jersey, USA, says a lot without being too direct. The face of the sculpture reminded me of C-3PO. For those of you born after 2000, C-3PO was a droid in a really old movie. Oh, never mind.
“Beneath The Flesh” by Joon Park of California, USA, showed off a lot of craftmanship and creativity.
“Ink” by Bouke Atemi pays homage to the squid or octopus who produce ink.
The festival, which ran from July 25-27, also included food stands, a Ferris wheel and other forms of entertainment.
Not all of the “favorites” win a prize. Yet, they all show a tremendous amount of skill and creativity. Do you have a favorite?
New England Nomad 