International Sand Sculpting Festival Returns to Revere Beach
Fireworks, live music, international sculptors this weekend
Melineige Beauregard won the solo sand sculpting competition for her sculpture “Open Your Mind and Let Your Spirit Fly Out” during last year’s Revere Beach International Sand Sculpting Festival. The Montreal native also won the People’s Choice Award. Photo courtesy of Flickr contributor Eric Kilby
One of the biggest sand sculpting festivals in the country and one of Boston’s most popular summer events returns this weekend. We’re talking about the Revere Beach International Sand Sculpting Festival, which draws master sand sculptors from around the world.
This year, a total of 20 artists hailing from far-flung locales including Australia, Canada, Italy, Mexico, The Netherlands, Russia, and Singapore, will compete individually and in teams (10 solo competitors and five duo teams) in this weekend’s competition. The theme of this year’s festival is science, technology, and innovation.
Each sculptor is given 10 tons of sand, an 18′ x 18′ exhibit area, and a total of 24 hours (split up over the course of three days) to complete their sculpture (forms for molding components are allowed but must be removed prior to judging).
The judges grade the sculptures based on degree of difficulty, originality, and creativity; quality of sculpting; and overall visual impact. The first-place winner in the solo competition will take home $5,000, while the second-place winner will receive $4,000, and the third-place winner $2,000. In the duo team competition, the first-place prize carries a purse of $8,500 and the second-place team will take home $6,500.
The festival also features a People’s Choice competition where the public can vote for their favorite sculpture. Voting takes place from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. tomorrow, Saturday, July 23. Competition winners are announced at an award ceremony at 6 p.m., followed by a fireworks display at 9 p.m.
In addition to the competition, the weekend’s festivities include a food truck festival, live music, amusements and rides, and street performers. On Sunday, be sure to check out the adult amateur competition and the kids’ amateur competition (the adult competition runs from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and the kids’ competition runs from noon to 2 p.m.)
The Revere Beach International Sand Sculpting Festival kicks off today, Friday, July 22, and runs through Sunday, July 24, at Revere Beach, Revere, Mass. Hours for the festival are 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. on Friday and Saturday, and 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Sunday. To get to Revere Beach by public transportation, take any MBTA Green Line trolley to Government Center and switch to an outbound Blue Line train. Get off at the Revere Beach station. The festival is free and open to the public. For a complete schedule of events, click here. The festival takes place rain or shine.
Jennifer Bates can be reached at jennb7@bu.edu.
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