USA TODAY International Edition
Works of art from millions of grains of sand
Building sand castles is a terrific way to spend the day at the beach. But for some people, it’s also a competitive sport. Head to any of these sand sculpting festivals across the USA for inspiration, amazing natural art and maybe even a lesson or two.
MICHIGAN: The Blue Water Sand-Fest in Port Huron takes place July 3– 5 at the foot of the Fort Gratiot Lighthouse. Events throughout the festival include state championships in sand sculpting, demonstrations and hands- on lessons, an amateur contest and a Quick Sand Speed Sculpting Show.
OREGON: Portland’s Pioneer Courthouse Square transforms into a massive sandbox July 17- 19 for Yoshida’s Sand in the City, now in its 20th year. In addition to sculpting, the three- day festival features live music, loads of kids’ activities ( including a sandbox, of course), beer garden and more.
MASSACHUSETTS: The Revere Beach National Sand Sculpting Festival hits this coastal town just north of Boston July 24- 26 and attracts hundreds of thousands of visitors a year from throughout New England. Over the course of the festival, 20 sculptors ( 10 solo and five teams of two) will each work with 10 tons of sand within an 18- by- 18- foot square to create their original works of art. Kids can get in on the fun with sand sculpting lessons.
OHIO: On July 25, more than 10,000 people are expected to make their way to this year’s Headlands Beach-Fest — the third year of the festival — along the 1- mile lakefront of Headlands Beach State Park in Mentor, Ohio. The day will be filled with kite flying, kayaking, kids’ activities and much more. The highlight is the Ohio Master Sand Sculpting competition with three of the best sculptors in the USA.
NEBRASKA: A sand- sculpting festival in the Heartland? You betcha! Also on July 25, the 26th Annual Kites and Castles will be held on the shores of Lake McConaughy, on the edges of unique Nebraska sand hills. Sculptors of all skill levels are invited to join in the fun — about 30 teams participate each year — as well as join in for kite- building and kite- flying.
NEW YORK: Brooklyn’s playground gets in on the fun in the sand with its 25th Annual Coney Island Sand Sculpting Contest Aug. 15. The free, family- friendly event attracts amateur and semiprofessional sculptors who use sand that retains water longer to make their visions realities. Prizes are awarded in a handful of categories.
WASHINGTON: Sand in the City makes its way to Olympia Aug. 22- 23 for the 15th annual event at the Hands On Children’s Museum. In addition to watching master sculptors at work, families can enjoy free STEM learning activities.
TEXAS: South Padre Island hosts the 28th Annual Sandcastle Days Oct. 2- 4 at Clayton’s beach bar. Over the course of the free, threeday World Championships of Sand Sculpting qualifying festival, artists will create their masterpieces to the sounds of live music, with thousands of people watching them work. A free sand sculpture workshop will be offered Oct. 4 for those interested in learning the craft.
FLORIDA: On Nov. 18- 22, Sanding Ovations comes to Treasure Island. The Master Cup Sand Sculpting Competition and Music Festival features 10 sand sculpting masters from throughout the world who will use nothing but sand, water and imagination to create temporary works of art.
Fort Myers Beach hosts the 29th Annual American Sandsculpting Championship Nov. 2029. The largest competition in Florida, and among the largest anywhere, the event draws tens of thousands of people to watch sculptors from throughout the USA and the world — including Latvia, the Netherlands, Canada, Australia, Mexico and Russia — pile and sculpt 1,000 tons of sand into artistic works.