2017 International Sand Sculpting Festival at Revere Beach This Weekend
Artists from around the world gather for annual competition
Canadian artist Mélineige Beauregard won the solo sand sculpting competition at last year’s International Sand Sculpting Festival at Revere Beach for her work, “Go with the Flow,” (pictured above). Beauregard, who also won the award in 2015, will return for this year’s competition. Photo by Rachael Landau
It’s time to pull on your swimsuit, slather on the sunscreen, and head over to Revere Beach for the 14th annual Revere Beach International Sand Sculpting Festival. Each year a select group of the world’s most innovative sand sculptors are chosen to take part in the three-day event, where they dig, pack, mold, and chisel extraordinarily intricate works of art using only sand, water, and tools.
The festival, which kicks off today and runs through Sunday, attracts thousands of onlookers annually and has become one of the country’s most prestigious sand sculpturing competition.
This year, 15 artists hailing from the United States, Canada, Russia, Lithuania, the Netherlands, and Italy will compete. Unlike years past, which included both solo and duo competitions, this year’s festival will feature only individual sculptors. In addition to creating their own works, they’ll team up to create this year’s centerpiece sculpture: a twenty-foot-wide recreation of the U.S.S. Constitution made entirely from sand. (The historic frigate, built in 1797 and commonly referred to as “Old Ironsides,” is set to return to the Boston Harbor on Sunday, after a two-year, $12 million restoration.)
Each sculptor will be given 12 tons of sand and an 18’ x 18’ exhibit area in which to mount their own sculptures. The festival kicks off today at 10 a.m. and the artists will have until 2 p.m. Saturday to complete their works. Judges will grade the sculptures based on degree of difficulty, originality, creativity, and the quality of the sculpting. Prizes ranging from $1750 to $5,ooo will be awarded to the top five contestants. Spectators will have a chance to vote for their favorite sculpture as well; the winner of the People’s Choice award will receive $1,000. All awards will be handed out Saturday evening at an awards ceremony at 6 p.m., followed by a fireworks celebration at 9 p.m.
The family-friendly festival will include live music, a Ferris wheel, merry-go-round, and kiddie coaster. More than a dozen food trucks will be on hand as well, offering visitors a wide assortment of dining options. This year, there will even be hot-air balloon rides. Free sand sculpting lessons for children will be available Friday and Saturday and on Sunday, amateurs will have a chance to create their own sand sculptures. The festival concludes at 8 p.m. on Sunday.
The Revere Beach International Sand Sculpting Festival begins today, Friday, July 21 and runs through Sunday, July 23. Hours are 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. on Friday and Saturday and 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Sunday. Admission is free and open to the public. Find a complete schedule of events here. You can reach Revere Beach by car or by taking the Blue Line to the Wonderland or Revere Beach stop. Find directions here.
Liz Vanderau can be reached at vanderau@bu.edu.
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